Iranian supreme chief says US strikes on nuclear websites ‘did nothing vital’ in first feedback since a ceasefire was agreed with Israel.
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has mentioned Iran will “by no means give up” to the US, putting a defiant tone in his first remarks since a ceasefire with Israel took maintain.
“The American president indicated in considered one of his statements that Iran should give up. Give up! It’s now not a query of enrichment, nor of the nuclear trade, however of the give up of Iran,” mentioned Khamenei in an announcement and televised speech carried by state media on Thursday. “Such an occasion (give up) won’t ever occur. It should by no means occur.”
Khamenei’s remarks come two days after a ceasefire halted a 12-day war between Iran and Israel – the foes’ deadliest and most damaging confrontation – and mark his first public look since June 19.
The speech additionally comes amid conflicting accounts within the US over the extent of the injury inflicted by US strikes on key Iranian nuclear websites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan throughout the battle. US President Donald Trump mentioned the strikes “obliterated” the nuclear amenities.
However Khamenei mentioned Trump had “exaggerated” the impression of the assaults and mentioned the US “gained nothing from this struggle,” claiming the US strikes “did nothing vital” to Iran’s nuclear amenities.
“The Islamic republic received, and in retaliation dealt a extreme slap to the face of America,” he mentioned, a reference to Iran’s missile launch targeting a US base in Qatar, the most important within the Center East, which brought about no casualties.
Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from Tehran, mentioned Khamenei additionally centered on the nation’s armed forces, to supply them congratulations and counter the claims around the globe and in Iran that the military “has acquired enormous blows from the Israeli assaults”.
Whereas Iranians who fled Tehran throughout the struggle have been step by step returning to town, “there’s a widespread anxiousness among the many Iranian individuals right here as properly as a result of they imagine this was solely the primary wave of the struggle,” mentioned Serdar.
“Many are questioning the effectivity of Iran’s air defence programs” and really feel that Iran might be extra susceptible to a possible future assault from the US and Israel, added Serdar.
Khamenei mentioned that the Iranian military efficiently focused army and non-military positions, and brought about in depth injury in Israel and added that “if Israel assaults us once more, they may see an additional destruction”, added Serdar.
Khamenei didn’t threaten the Israelis or Individuals with army motion in his speech, however did say that the nation’s nuclear programme stays largely in place – opposite to US statements, mentioned Serdar.
“He mentioned that many of the websites are nonetheless in place and that Iran goes to proceed its nuclear programme.”
Each Iran and Israel have claimed victory within the 12-day struggle, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing on Tuesday a “historic victory” for Israel.
In the meantime, Iran has mentioned it’s prepared to return to nuclear negotiations with Washington.
The Israeli strikes on Iran killed not less than 627 civilians, Tehran’s well being ministry mentioned, whereas official figures point out Iran’s assaults on Israel killed 28 individuals.
A state funeral can be held on Saturday in Tehran for prime commanders and nuclear scientists killed within the struggle.