Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that Iran will retaliate forcefully against any future U.S. military action, specifically threatening American bases across the Middle East. His televised remarks on Thursday marked his first public appearance since the ceasefire between Iran and Israel was declared.

The 86-year-old leader, who had not been seen publicly since retreating to a secure location at the outbreak of hostilities on June 13, delivered his speech from an undisclosed indoor venue. He appeared alongside the Iranian flag and a portrait of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

In his address, Khamenei described Iran’s recent missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar—an attack that reportedly caused no casualties—as “a slap to America’s face.”

“Our access to key U.S. installations in the region is no small feat—it’s a major strategic advantage,” Khamenei said. “And we can strike again. If America attacks us, we will respond with full force.”

He went on to claim the U.S. had intervened in the conflict solely to prevent Israel’s defeat, asserting that Iran emerged victorious. He also dismissed reports of successful U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, accusing former President Donald Trump of exaggerating their impact for political gain.

“These attacks achieved nothing meaningful,” Khamenei said. “Trump is trying to mislead the world, but the Iranian people know the truth.”

His defiant message comes as state media celebrates the ceasefire as a victory, even as international sources report extensive damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities and losses among its military leadership.

In a significant policy shift, Iran’s Guardian Council on Thursday approved a new law suspending all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The legislation states that collaboration with the UN watchdog will only resume if Iran’s own Atomic Energy Organization and National Security Council certify that nuclear sites are safe and dedicated solely to peaceful purposes.

Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has indicated Washington’s readiness to resume diplomatic negotiations with Tehran in Oman next week. Iran has not confirmed its participation, as officials continue evaluating whether any of their uranium enrichment capacity remains functional following joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei admitted that the country’s nuclear infrastructure suffered “severe damage,” though he declined to give specifics on its current status.

On the international stage, Iran has accused Western governments of remaining silent in the face of what it views as unlawful Israeli aggression. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, currently in China, criticized the West’s failure to condemn Israel’s preemptive strikes, calling them a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.

President Trump, for his part, announced a partial easing of sanctions to permit increased Iranian oil exports to China, describing the move as a goodwill gesture amid heightened tensions.

However, Khamenei made no mention of potential peace talks, instead reiterating his firm opposition to American demands.

“Iran will never bow to pressure,” he declared. “Trump’s dream of unconditional surrender will never come true.”

Further complicating the post-ceasefire landscape, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed to the French Parliament that France had intercepted fewer than 10 Iranian drones aimed at Israel during the 12-day war. According to Lecornu, Iran launched roughly 400 ballistic missiles and over 1,000 drones during the conflict.

As diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, Khamenei’s hardline remarks suggest that any renewed military confrontation could escalate rapidly, with regional stability hanging in the balance.