Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared victory over Israel and claimed Iran had “slapped America in the face” following a ceasefire in the recent Iran-Israel conflict.

Axar.az, citing ABC news, reports that in a televised statement, he accused the U.S. of intervening only to save Israel from defeat and said it gained nothing from the war.

He warned the U.S. against future attacks, claiming Iran could strike key American targets in the region.

This was Khamenei’s first public appearance since going into hiding after Israel’s initial strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military figures. The war paused after a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire, following major American airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.