Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking shelter in a secret location after the outbreak of the war on June 13
In a statement and a televised speech carried by state media, he hailed his country’s “victory” over Israel and vowed never to surrender to the United States, while claiming that Washington had been dealt a “slap” after striking Iranian nuclear sites.
Khamenei’s remarks come two days after a ceasefire ended a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, the foes’ deadliest and most destructive confrontation in history.
It also follows a stinging row in the United States over the actual extent of the damage inflicted by American strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites during the conflict.
“The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,” Khamenei said.
