ALWAGHT- Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stated that during the recent 12-day conflict with Iran, Israel was forced to turn to the United States for support, unable to confront the Islamic Republic on its own.
Ayatollah Khamenei, in a high-level meeting with Iran’s judiciary officials, hailed the Iranian nation’s resilience and unity during the recent 12-day war, saying it demonstrated not only Iran’s military strength but also the spirit and willpower of its people. He praised the transformation of Iran from a submissive US client under the Pahlavi monarchy to a powerful and independent country capable of confronting global powers, including the United States and Israel. The Leader stressed that Iran would never enter diplomatic or military arenas from a position of weakness.
He cited Israel’s appeal to the United States for a ceasefire as evidence of Iran’s effective and decisive retaliation, noting that Tel Aviv and Washington were unable to withstand Iran’s strategic response. Ayatollah Khamenei revealed that Iran's retaliatory strike on an American base in Qatar was highly sensitive and damaging, though details were still under wraps due to media censorship. He warned that Iran possesses the capability to deliver even more powerful responses if necessary.
The Leader emphasized that the enemy’s strategy—to weaken Iran through assassinations and unrest—was defeated by public awareness and unity. He urged the Judiciary to pursue legal action against those responsible for recent crimes, both domestically and internationally, stating that justice must be served even if it takes decades. Ayatollah Khamenei acknowledged past failures in accountability but stressed that this time, Iran must not fall short in holding aggressors to account.