Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has spoken out after spending more than a week in hiding, reportedly fearing assassination attempts by American or Israeli operatives. The 86-year-old leader had not been seen in public since the recent U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Khamenei, still unseen in person, addressed the nation and the world via social media on June 26. He criticized the U.S. for directly entering the ongoing conflict, stating it only did so out of fear that Israel would be destroyed without intervention.

Despite the destruction of three critical nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—by U.S. forces under former President Donald Trump, Khamenei boldly claimed a strategic victory. He stated that the Islamic Republic had successfully delivered a “hard slap” to the United States and emerged stronger.

His remarks come amid heightened concern within Iran over his health and status. With no public appearances in over a week and no live video in days, Iranian citizens and media have speculated about his wellbeing and possible leadership transitions.

Khamenei’s defiant tone appears intended to counteract internal fears and project resilience. His claim of victory contrasts with Western intelligence reports indicating severe setbacks to Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The speech may serve more as political theater than a reflection of Iran’s actual strategic position, as the nation grapples with international pressure, internal unrest, and questions about succession.