US, with all its modern military arsenal, suffered defeat in 12-day war

“In the 12-day war, the Iranian nation undoubtedly defeated both the United States and the Zionist regime. They came and committed mischief, but were beaten and returned empty-handed, failing to achieve any of their objectives — this was a real defeat for them,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a televised speech on Thursday night.

The Leader said that according to some accounts, the Zionist regime had planned and prepared for the war for 20 years.

"They had planned a war in which they hoped to provoke the people and force them to fight against the system. But the situation was reversed, and they failed so completely that even those who had disagreements with the system stood alongside it, creating a general unity in the country,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the heavy losses suffered by the US in the 12-day war despite deploying its most advanced military equipment, including submarines, fighter jets, and state-of-the-art defense systems.

“The United States was severely damaged in this war, since despite using the latest offensive and defensive weapons, it could not achieve its goal of deceiving the nation and winning their support. Instead, the unity of the people increased, and the United States was also thwarted," he said.

“Of course, we also suffered losses, and, as is the nature of war, precious lives were lost. But the Islamic Republic demonstrated that it is a center of will and power, able to stand strong and make decisions without fear of the noise around it. Moreover, the material damage inflicted on the invading enemy was far greater than the material losses we suffered,” he added.

On June 13, Zionist regime launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians.

More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military base in West Asia.

On June 24, Iran, through its successful retaliatory operations against both the Zionist regime and the US, managed to impose a halt to the illegal assault.

Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the severe disgrace and infamy of the Zionist regime in the Gaza tragedy as one of the most important disasters in the region’s history.

“The United States stood alongside the usurping regime and became severely disgraced and discredited, because the people of the world know that the Zionist regime is not capable of causing so much devastation without America.”

He called the current Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the most hated person in the world today and the Zionist regime the most hated organization and ruling clique, adding: “Because the United States stands alongside them, the hatred of the Zionists has also spread to the United States.”

Ayatollah Khamenei cited US interventions in different parts of the world as another factor in its increasing isolation, saying US interference in any region causes war, genocide, destruction, and displacement.

He touched on the "costly and futile war" in Ukraine as an example of US interference, saying the current US president, who said he would solve the conflict in three days, is now - after nearly a year - imposing a 28-point plan on the country they dragged into the war.

The plan, crafted by President Donald Trump and the Kremlin without Ukraine’s involvement, reportedly acquiesces to many Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, incursions into Syria, crimes in the West Bank, and the dire situation in Gaza as other examples of overt US support for the war and crimes of the “vile regime” of Israel.

The Leader dismissed “rumors that the Iranian government had sent a message to the United States through such-and-such country, saying “This is pure lies, and such a thing certainly did not exist.”

He touched on “US betrayal of even its friends in favor of the Zionist and criminal clique and efforts to incite wars worldwide for oil and underground resources, including in Latin America”.

“Such a government is certainly not a government that the Islamic Republic seeks to cooperate or maintain relations with,” he said. 

Since late August, Washington has sent warships, surveillance aircraft, and special-operations units to the southern Caribbean, threatening Venezuela with an increased military invasion.

On Tuesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro also stressed that “oil is at the heart of” US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the necessity for nations to resist the greed and interference of powers seeking domination.

He said, “The great element of resistance, which was established and grew in Iran, can today be seen in the slogans supporting Palestine and Gaza across various parts of the world, including Western countries and even the United States.”

The Leader said a volunteer force like the Basij could serve any country well. He added that Iran, which has openly confronted international bullies and aggressors, relies on the Basij more than most.

The vitality and dynamism of the Basij, he said, contribute to strengthening the resistance of nations against global oppressors. As resistance grows, he added, the world’s downtrodden feel a greater sense of support and empowerment.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the Basij in broad and inclusive terms as a force able to confront enemy strategies in military, economic, industrial, technological, and other sectors.

"The dear scientists who were martyred in the 12-day war, the designers, builders, and launchers of missiles, anyone who has enlightened others with sound reasoning and clear expression against rumors and temptations, the devoted doctors and nurses who did not abandon hospitals during the war, and the athletes who express their devotion to God, religion, country, and nation on the international stage — whether or not they are formal members of the Basij — are all Basij," he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged the Iranian people, first and foremost, to preserve and strengthen national unity. He acknowledged the existence of differences among social groups and political factions but stressed the importance of standing together against the enemy, as was seen during the 12-day war, noting that such solidarity is essential to the nation’s strength.

The Leader, recommending support for the president and the administration, stated that running the country is difficult and demanding.

He said the administration has already begun implementing positive measures, including continuing unfinished projects initiated by the late President Ebrahim Raeisi, and expressed hope that the people would soon see the results.