“I say to the beloved Iranian nation that the malicious enemy is experiencing a deep and significant humiliation, both on the battlefield and in the public eye, and is now trying to deceive,” the young Khamenei declared.
His unexpected statement could signal the parties’ rapprochement towards an agreement, for which he is preparing the Iranian people, to whom he is also calling for unity.
“The system of domination, which created a garrison called Israel about 80 years ago, does not accept the existence of a strong and independent Iran, equipped with its own advantages, on the eastern border of what, thanks to a fictitious and false geography, is known as Greater Israel,” Khamenei declared.
He has not been seen in public since the start of the war. Citing multiple Iranian officials, US media reported at the time that he had suffered serious injuries as a result of the bombing and had undergone multiple surgeries.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said it was likely the new leader had been disfigured. Iran itself has not confirmed the reports, and he has communicated only through written statements since taking office.
“The enemy focused its efforts in a hybrid war on two fronts: on the resistance of the people and on the miscalculations of state officials. After Iran proved capable of repelling the enemy, who was defeated on the battlefield, now it is trying to undermine the resistance of the people and create discord,” Khamenei continued.
His comments come just days after President Donald Trump’s surprise statement that the young ayatollah was involved in negotiations with the United States and that the two were “getting along well.”