Khamenei warns against further US attacks in televised statement

Following Sunday's US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump was able to help negotiate a ceasefire that came into effect on Tuesday

- Associated Press

TEHRAN: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday his country had delivered a "slap to America's face" with its strike on an American base in Qatar, and warned against any further US attacks in his first public comments since a ceasefire was declared with Israel after 12 days of war.

Khamenei spoke in a recorded video broadcast on Iranian state television, his first appearance since June 19.

The 86-year-old looked and sounded more tired than he did only a week ago, speaking in a hoarse voice and occasionally stumbling over his words.

The more-than-10-minute speech by the supreme leader was filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel.

He downplayed Sunday's US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles, saying that US President Donald Trump—who said the attack "completely and fully obliterated Iran's nuclear program"—had "exaggerated" its impact.

"They could not achieve anything significant," he said.