Khamenei breaks silence to threaten more US attacks

In his first televised address since the attack on Iran's nuclear sites, the ayatollah plays down extent of the damage inflicted

- RACHEL CLUN

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has claimed victory over Israel and the United States in his first public comments since a ceasefire was announced between the warring countries. He warned that Iran would hit US bases again if further attacked.

The comments yesterday came shortly before the US secretary of defence Pete Hegsted held a press conference to repeat claims an American bombing raid on Iran at the weekend was a resounding success.

For the ayatollah, a pre-recorded message may have done little to alleviate concerns about his future. He has been notably absent in the aftermath of Donald Trump's attack, observers have noted.

Referring to the attacks on the country, he said, "They couldn't accomplish anything. And did not achieve their objective. The Islamic Republic emerged victorious and as a result it dealt a heavy blow to the US by attacking one of its key bases in the region."

"[We] delivered a slap to Iranian missile face," he claimed, in apparent reference to an Iranian missile attack on an American base in nearby Qatar on Monday, which caused no casualties.

"The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to important American centres in the region and can take action against them whenever it deems necessary is not a small incident, it is a major incident, and this incident can be repeated in the future if an attack is made.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei finally addresses his country following a US strike on Iran's nuclear sites (IRIB News Agency)

"Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price."