Khamenei says Tehran ‘astonished the world’ during US-Israeli war on Iran

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared a “final victory” in the conflict with Israel and the United States, even as a fragile ceasefire faces threats from ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
Speaking 40 days after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed in a US-Israeli attack on the war’s first day, Khamenei stated on Thursday that Iran had “astonished the world” throughout the duration of the conflict.
Khamenei, 58, who has not been publicly seen or heard from since the war began, conveyed in a televised statement that Tehran was not seeking war but was defending its legitimate rights.
He asserted, “We will certainly not leave the criminal aggressors who attacked our country unpunished,” adding that Iran would “demand compensation for all damages, as well as the blood of the martyrs and the wounded.”
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blockaded since the war erupted on February 28 and has become a critical point in US-Iran proposals to end hostilities, Khamenei indicated his country would move towards a “new phase” without providing further details.
On Wednesday, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, to facilitate negotiations. This agreement followed concerns of a broader conflict stemming from attacks on Gulf nations and the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which could have long-lasting repercussions.
As part of the ceasefire, Iran consented to allow shipping to pass through the vital waterway. Reports suggest Tehran plans to impose a toll on ships transiting the strait to fund the nation’s reconstruction efforts.
However, Khamenei issued a warning that Iran was prepared to retaliate if attacks were to resume and disrupt the pause in hostilities, stating, “Our hands are on the trigger.”
Meanwhile, a devastating wave of Israeli air strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday resulted in over 300 fatalities, jeopardizing the US-Iran truce amidst disagreements over whether Beirut was included in the agreement.
While Iran and Pakistan affirm Lebanon’s inclusion in the deal, the US and Israel have stated otherwise. International leaders have also called for Lebanon to be part of the agreement, urging for peace in the region.
Despite this, Khamenei reiterated that while they did not initiate the war, they would not “renounce our legitimate rights under any circumstances, and in this respect, we consider the entire resistance front as a whole,” an apparent reference to Lebanon.
Delegations from Iran and the US are anticipated to hold talks in Pakistan on Saturday to discuss ending the war.
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