Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Thursday claimed that Tehran had delivered a “decisive blow” to the United States and Iran. In fresh remarks, the Ayatollah referred to the US and Israel as the “malicious enemy,” adding that they had been defeated in their confrontation with the Armed Forces.
Khamenei further accused Tel Aviv and Washington of “sowing the seeds of doubt, despair, fear, mistrust, & discord” among the Iranian populace.
“The malicious enemy has been defeated in its confrontation with the Armed Forces. Since it has received a decisive blow both in military combat and in [Iran’s] public squares and streets, it’s experiencing a profound, significant humiliation,” Khamenei said in his remarks, which were also shared on the social media platform X.
Khamenei’s latest remarks were reportedly recited by a prayer leader at the mausoleum of the founder of Iran’s Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on the 37th anniversary of his death.
Since taking over as supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been out of the public eye. However, despite his physical absence, the Ayatollah remains active in the negotiations between the US and Iran for a potential peace deal.
US-Iran deal
As per the latest developments, Iran continues to maintain its stance that a peace deal in order to end the current West Asia conflict must include a resolution on the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. In addition, Tehran has also demanded the release of “liquid cash” from billions of dollars in frozen assets, which are already in the first phase of the agreement.
Intermediaries have spent days over the contentious issue, but no progress has been made due to Iran’s insistence on the release of funds in Phase A as part of the framework agreement.
Washington, on the other hand, has refused to offer any upfront financial concessions in this regard, without a clear consensus on the nuclear issue or on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Currently, both parties are in the process of reviewing texts exchanged by their counterparts. While President Trump has indicated hopes of a speedy resolution, Tehran continues to hold questions of funds and a complete ceasefire in Lebanon as major factors adding weight to the question of a negotiated peace.
Fresh strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait
As previously reported by HT, fresh attacks come amid stalled peace talks between the US and Iran despite President Trump’s claims that talks were continuing.
“The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago and today,” Trump said in a social media post. “Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, ‘It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal.”
News agency AFP reported, citing an official, that Tehran had held no communication on the matter with Washington on Tuesday due to its demand for a ceasefire in Lebanon in order for talks to proceed.
Qatar’s former prime minister, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, condemned Iran’s attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait as “astonishing” and “unjustifiable”, questioning whether this strike was premediated. Following this, Bahrain arrested 15 people accused of working for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, mere hours after the strikes.