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Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, issued a rare video statement on Wednesday, warning that any future attacks on Iranian territory would be met with direct retaliation targeting U.S. military bases.
In his first video message since the latest Israel-Iran conflict, Khamenei claimed a strategic victory over Israel and criticized U.S. intervention.
"The Zionist regime was nearly collapsing under the strikes of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.
"The American regime intervened only to prevent its total destruction but gained nothing from this war," he added.
Referring to the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Khamenei said that legal action will be pursued in international courts and that Washington had failed to achieve any strategic goal.
Khamenei added that Iran delivered a strong blow to the U.S. by targeting the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
"This was not a minor incident; it was a major act," he said. He warned that any future aggression would result in repeated strikes on American military bases.
The conflict, which began on June 13 and lasted 12 days, ended under a U.S.-brokered cease-fire that took effect on June 24.
The war was the longest direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel, causing significant casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides.
Israel’s initial airstrikes on June 13 targeted key Iranian military and nuclear facilities and resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking Iranian commanders and scientists. Iran responded with widespread missile and drone attacks against Israel.
The Israeli strikes killed several top Iranian military officials, including
Other casualties included senior IRGC, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, Basij, and Police Intelligence commanders. Many were reportedly killed in coordinated airstrikes on June 13 across multiple sites.
France intercepts Iranian drones aimed at Israel
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on Wednesday that French military forces intercepted fewer than 10 Iranian drones heading toward Israel.
He said the interceptions were conducted by air defense systems and Rafale fighter jets to protect French bases in the region.
"Our armies did not participate in the strikes on Iran," Lecornu said during a parliamentary debate. "But we are protecting our bases in the region, in self-defense."
He added that Iran launched around 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones toward Israel during the 12-day conflict.
The Guardian Council of Iran approved legislation to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iranian state television reported.
Hadi Tahannazif, spokesperson for the council, said the law had passed after review.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that unless Iran’s nuclear facilities and peaceful activities are guaranteed protection, IAEA inspectors would not be granted access to the country.
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