Iran's Khamenei Says Trump 'Exaggerated' Impact of US Strikes

He hails 'victory' over Israel; Hegseth defends claim nuclear sites badly damaged

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TEHRAN - Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on June 26 said US President Donald Trump "exaggerated" the impact of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, in his first appearance since a cease-fire in the war with Israel took hold.

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 US, while claiming that Washington had been dealt a "slap" after striking Iranian nuclear sites.

Mr. 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 US 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," Mr. Khamenei said.

The US "has gained nothing from this war," he said, adding that American strikes "did nothing significant" to Iran's nuclear facilities.

"The Islamic Republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America," he said, a reference to Iran's missile launch targeting the largest US base in the Middle East.

"I want to congratulate the great Iranian nation... for its victory over the fallacious Zionist regime," he added, saying that Israel had "almost collapsed" because of Iran's strikes.