Iran’s Khamenei Claims “Final Victory” Amid US-Israeli War, Threatens Retaliation and Compensation Demands

Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has boldly proclaimed a “final victory” in the brutal war against the US and Israel, as a tenuous ceasefire hangs by a thread. Marking 40 days since his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US-Israeli strike that ignited the conflict, Mojtaba Khamenei’s statement was a defiant message broadcast on state television.

Khamenei claimed Iran had “astonished the world” throughout the war, emphasizing that Tehran was not seeking war but fighting for its “legitimate rights.” He warned that Iran will not let the “criminal aggressors” off the hook and will demand compensation for the destruction and bloodshed inflicted on Iranian soil.

The conflict has centered on strategic flashpoints like the Strait of Hormuz, effectively blockaded by Iran since February 28. Khamenei hinted at a “new phase” for Iran’s stance on the waterway but did not provide details. This comes after a US-Iran ceasefire agreement mediated by Pakistan, which includes reopening the strait to shipping—though Iran reportedly plans to levy tolls on transiting vessels to finance reconstruction.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon killed over 300 people, threatening to derail the fragile peace. Disputes over whether Lebanon is included in the truce have intensified tensions; Iran and Pakistan insist it is, while the US and Israel deny it. Khamenei’s reference to the “entire resistance front” likely signals continued Iranian support for Lebanese factions opposing Israel.

The stakes remain high as US and Iranian delegations prepare for talks in Pakistan aimed at ending the war. But with Khamenei’s warning that “our hands are on the trigger,” the risk of renewed violence looms large.

This conflict is not just about regional power struggles—it’s a calculated distraction by the Trump administration, using foreign war to cover up domestic scandals and consolidate authoritarian control. The human cost is devastating, and the path to peace remains perilous as Washington and Tehran play a dangerous game with global consequences.