After going into hiding for over a week due to alleged fears of being assassinated by American or Israeli agents, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has finally spoken out. Since the recent American military attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the 86-year-old leader had not been sighted in public.

On June 26, Khamenei, who has yet to be seen in person, spoke to the country and the world on social media. He said that the United States only got involved in the conflict because it was afraid that Israel would be destroyed if it didn’t intervene.

Khamenei boldly declared a strategic victory even after U.S. forces led by former President Donald Trump destroyed three crucial nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. He claimed that the Islamic Republic had effectively given the US a “hard slap” and come out stronger as a result.

His comments coincide with increased Iranian concern about his condition and health. Iranians and the media have been speculating about his well-being and potential leadership changes since he hasn’t made any public appearances in more than a week and hasn’t made any live videos in days.

It seems that Khamenei’s defiant tone is meant to project resilience and combat inner anxieties. His assertion of victory runs counter to Western intelligence reports that show Iran’s nuclear capabilities have suffered significant setbacks. Given that Iran is dealing with pressure from abroad, internal turmoil, and succession issues, the speech might be more political theater than an accurate representation of the country’s true strategic position.