In his first public address since the Iran–Israel ceasefire was announced, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei unleashed a blistering condemnation of U.S. policy, accusing Washington of “empty slogans” and warning that America’s “tricks” would only strengthen Iran’s resolve. Speaking on Sunday at Tehran University’s main auditorium, Khamenei portrayed the recent pause in hostilities not as a victory for diplomacy, but as proof that Iran’s “steadfast resistance” had forced the world’s sole superpower to back down.
@IRNA_English “Supreme Leader: Ceasefire did not come from U.S. goodwill but from Iran’s unwavering power.” view on X
“They thought sanctions and threats could subdue us,” Khamenei declared, according to a transcript on the IRNA news agency. “But today, they humbly seek dialogue, wearing the mask of peace.” His remarks came as the Reuters confirmed that U.S. envoys in Doha have been pressing Tehran to formalize the truce.
Analysts note the rhetorical shift. Unlike his usually measured tone, Khamenei’s speech carried the unmistakable inflection of triumph. “He wanted to underscore that Iran dictates terms,” says Golnaz Esfandiari of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “By framing the ceasefire as Iran’s gift to the world, he bolsters regime legitimacy.”
@rferl “Experts: Khamenei’s victory narrative aims to solidify domestic support after months of economic pain.” view on X
During his 45-minute address, Khamenei touched on multiple fronts: he derided Washington’s “theatrics” over human rights, citing the recent release of Iranian detainees as “propaganda” for U.S. midterm elections. He also lambasted Europe’s “subservience,” implicitly rebuking EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell’s calls for “swift diplomatic progress” in Brussels.
@JosepBorrellF “The EU stands ready to facilitate a durable peace—words must translate into action.” view on X
Khamenei reserved special scorn for American military power. “Your bombers and carriers are no match for the faith of our youth,” he proclaimed, referencing the recent U.S. airstrikes on nuclear sites official Pentagon statement. He insisted Iran would rebuild its enrichment facilities “faster than you can sanction them.”
That defiance echoes findings by the Council on Foreign Relations, which notes that Iran’s program is “resilient” despite U.S. pressure. “Khamenei’s bragging aligns with intelligence assessments,” CFR fellow Lara Friedman told Politico. “He’s setting the stage for future demands.”
@CFR_org “Iran’s nuclear program shows capacity to recover—diplomacy must account for long-term resilience.” view on X
Despite the combative tone, Khamenei claimed Iran remains open to “honorable negotiations”—provided the U.S. lifts sanctions first. He reiterated Tehran’s red lines: no restrictions on missile development, nor demands to curtail regional alliances with Hezbollah and the Houthis. Such conditions mirror Iran’s June ceasefire proposal, which was rebuffed by Washington for lacking “sincerity,” according to State Department transcripts published by State.gov.
@StateDept “U.S.: Iran’s ceasefire terms insufficient—sanctions must remain until denuclearization steps occur.” view on X
Regional reactions varied. In Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani welcomed Khamenei’s “call for calm” but cautioned that Iran must respect Iraqi sovereignty if it continues cross-border operations Al Jazeera reports. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued a terse statement urging “collective security measures” under Gulf Cooperation Council frameworks.
Inside Iran, the speech was broadcast live on state television, drawing record viewership. Social media users under #LeaderSpeaks praised Khamenei as “the voice of the oppressed,” while skeptics pointed to rising inflation and unemployment as evidence that “words won’t buy bread.” The government’s own Statistical Center shows consumer prices up 45% year-over-year, fueling public discontent.
@BBCPersian “Viewer reaction split between pride in defiance and frustration over economic hardship.” view on X
Economic analysts warn that Khamenei’s hardline posture may scuttle emerging talks. A recent IMF working paper suggests that relief from sanctions could lower inflation to 15% within a year—a prospect now dimmed by Tehran’s demand for “complete vindication.”
Ultimately, Khamenei’s speech underscores the gulf between rhetoric and reality. While American and European diplomats scramble to salvage the ceasefire, Iran’s supreme leader plays to domestic audiences and regional proxies alike, signaling that any future détente will come on Tehran’s uncompromising terms.
