Supreme Leader of Iran Hails ‘Victory’ After American Military Attacks
Iran Cuts IAEA Ties, Khamenei Declares Victory Over U.S. and Israel After Airstrikes
Iran has officially voted to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a decision that severely hampers global efforts to monitor the country’s uranium enrichment and nuclear activities. This move comes just hours after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke a week-long silence, declaring a political and strategic “victory” over both the United States and Israel in response to recent military confrontations.
🇮🇷 Khamenei: “We Delivered a Slap to America’s Face”
In a nationally televised speech, Khamenei stated:
“The Islamic Republic emerged victorious and, in return, delivered a harsh slap to America’s face.”
He accused the U.S. of launching direct military strikes out of fear that Israel was on the brink of collapse, claiming Washington’s intervention yielded “nothing.”
Khamenei also warned Israel that its attacks on Iranian soil had come at a “heavy cost,” asserting that Iran’s response proved its power and deterrence.
🛑 Iran Halts IAEA Nuclear Cooperation
Earlier that same day, Iran’s Parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill to suspend all cooperation with the IAEA. The legislation was passed with near-unanimous support — 223 lawmakers voting in favor and just one abstention. It was promptly ratified by the Guardian Council, a key governing body appointed by the Supreme Leader.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated:
“Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will continue with greater speed.”
🧪 What This Means for Nuclear Monitoring
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, called the bill a “clear response to the illegal attacks against our country.”
Under the new law:
IAEA inspectors will no longer be granted automatic access to Iran’s nuclear sites.
Any future inspections will require approval from the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran demands that all nuclear monitoring must guarantee “security and sovereignty.”
IAEA Director Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern, telling French radio station RFI:
“The agency’s presence in Iran is not some kind of generous gesture — it is an international responsibility.”
💥 Conflicting Damage Assessments
While President Donald Trump claimed U.S. airstrikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities, Khamenei dismissed the assertion as exaggerated political theater:
“It’s clear that the American president needs to exaggerate. They resort to exaggeration to cover up the truth.”
U.S. intelligence presents a mixed picture:
CIA sources suggest Iran’s nuclear program suffered serious setbacks.
A Defense Intelligence Agency leak estimated the damage may have only delayed enrichment efforts by a few months.
🌍 Global Implications
The escalation marks a turning point in Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West. The suspension of IAEA oversight raises alarm across Europe, the U.S., and global security institutions, as Iran’s nuclear intentions become harder to verify.
As tensions continue to rise, the world watches closely how Iran, the U.S., and Israel navigate this dangerous phase of confrontation.
