Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both declared victory after the most violent confrontation in the history of their two nations.
Khamenei, speaking for the first time since a ceasefire was declared, hailed what he called Iran’s “victory over the Zionist regime” and said Tehran’s retaliatory missile strikes pushed Israel to the brink.
“The Islamic Republic won, and in retaliation, dealt a severe slap to the face of America,” Khamenei said, insisting Iran will never bow to Western pressure.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, said Israel had “thwarted Iran’s nuclear project” with precise airstrikes and intelligence operations. “Any attempt by Iran to rebuild will be met with the same force,” he warned.
The 12-day war saw deadly attacks and counterattacks from both countries. Iran’s health ministry confirmed that 627 civilians were killed in the Israeli strikes. Israel, on its part, said 28 of its citizens died in Iran’s missile response.
Despite the destruction, Iran’s Foreign Ministry insists the country remains committed to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, even as it passed a new law suspending cooperation with international nuclear inspectors.
Meanwhile, European leaders have expressed concern over the worsening situation. French President Emmanuel Macron described the U.S. strike as “genuinely effective” but warned against Iran exiting the global nuclear non-proliferation treaty, which could spark a broader regional crisis.
As both sides claim victory, international observers fear that the fragile ceasefire may only be temporary if diplomatic efforts fail to hold.
