() As the ceasefire between Israel and Iran enters another day, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory over both the United States and the “fallacious Zionist regime.”
In separate posts on his English-language account, Khamenei congratulated Iran on defeating the U.S. and Israel in his first statement since the ceasefire was declared.
“The US regime entered the war directly because it felt that if it didn’t, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. It entered the war in an effort to save that regime but achieved nothing,” Khamenei wrote.
The U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites last weekend during a mission dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
Khamenei went on to say that Iran “delivered a heavy slap” to America, mentioning the attack on the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Nobody was killed in the attack.
Khamenei hasn’t been seen in public since taking shelter in a secret location after the outbreak of the war on June 13, when Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities and targeted top military commanders and scientists.
Ceasefire maintained, Israeli turns focus to Gaza
With the Trump-brokered ceasefire holding steady, families of Israeli hostages are hoping the temporary peace will bring about a deal in Gaza.
crews in the region spoke with Gal Gilboa-Dalal, whose brother Guy Gilboa-Dalal was taken from the Nova music festival during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.
Gal Gilboa-Dalal told he fears time is running out for his brother, held hostage for more than a year and a half.
“I don’t think my brother can survive any longer,” he said. “I don’t think the hostages can survive any longer.”
During the attack, Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Most have been freed in ceasefire deals, but 50 remain captive and less than half are believed to be alive.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
