In a televised speech on Thursday, Khamenei claimed Iran's victory in the 12-day air war launched by Israel and inflicting a "severe slap" to the US. He made these remarks in his first speech since a ceasefire was declared between Iran and Israel, reported ANI.

He said, "The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration." Khamenei said the US "has gained nothing from this war," adding that American strikes "did nothing significant" to Iranian nuclear facilities, reported ANI.

Claiming victory in the conflict, he said, "The Islamic Republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America," referring to Iran's missile launch targeting US military base in Qatar

He threatened, "Such an action can be repeated in the future, too" and mentioned that Iran has "access to key US centers in the region and can take action whenever it deems necessary", reported ANI.

Tensions escalated in West Asia after the US conducted precision airstrikes early Sunday morning on three key Iranian nuclear facilities under "Operation Midnight Hammer." Iran retaliated by launching multiple missiles at US military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar