In his first public statement since the Israel–Iran ceasefire, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday, June 26, claimed that Iran had emerged victorious in the recent conflict. Speaking to a gathering of senior officials and clerics in Tehran, Khamenei stated, "Israel was forced to back down. This is a triumph for Iran and the resistance."

The statement comes just days after a ceasefire was brokered, bringing a halt to weeks of cross-border attacks and regional escalations. Iran had previously launched multiple strikes targeting Israeli military bases, while Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.

While international observers have called the ceasefire fragile and uneasy, Khamenei’s speech signaled a tone of defiance and ideological victory. The Supreme Leader also warned that Iran would respond "even more forcefully" to any future aggression.

His remarks are likely to impact the geopolitical narrative in West Asia and may influence ongoing diplomatic efforts, particularly from mediators like China and Russia.