Tehran, June 26, 2025 — In a rare public address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the recent missile attack on a US military base in Qatar a “strong and rightful response,” declaring it “a hand slap to America’s face.” His remarks mark Iran’s most assertive political statement following a surge in military tensions with the United States.
The speech, broadcast nationwide on Iranian state television, came after Tehran officially confirmed its role in the missile strike earlier this week, which Iran said was retaliation for the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Khamenei praised the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian armed forces, calling their actions a defense of “national sovereignty and regional dignity.” He claimed the strike was both “calculated and necessary,” asserting that the United States must “now understand the cost of violating Iran’s red lines.”
The missile attack, code-named “Basharat al-Fath,” reportedly caused significant damage to the American military outpost, although the US has yet to release a detailed casualty or damage report. The Biden administration has maintained a guarded stance, stating that “all options remain on the table” while urging for de-escalation.
Iran’s rhetoric has grown increasingly sharp since April’s Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent regional instability. However, Khamenei emphasized that Iran seeks “peace, but with dignity,” stating that any aggression “will not go unanswered.”
The statement also comes amid ongoing concerns from global powers regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital oil trade route—which Iranian lawmakers have recently threatened to shut down if tensions escalate further.
As diplomatic efforts falter, the region continues to teeter on the brink of broader conflict, with global markets already reacting to fears of prolonged instability in the Gulf.
‘A Hand Slap to America’s Face’: Iran’s Supreme Leader Hails Missile Strike on US Base
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