Leader debunks rumors of message to US as ‘sheer lies’
Washington ‘suffered losses, failed to achieve any goals’ in 12-day war
Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei dismissed on Thursday rumors that Tehran had sent messages to Washington for what is claimed in the media to be aimed at the revival of long-stalled nuclear talks.
Rejecting the rumors as “sheer lies,” the Leader said in a televised speech that the administration of US President Donald Trump was "not worthy" of contact or cooperation with the Islamic Republic.
"Such a government (the United States) is not worthy of being approached or cooperated with by a government like the Islamic Republic," Ayatollah Khamenei said. “This is sheer lies, and such a thing certainly did not exist.”
He touched on “US betrayal of even its friends in favor of the Zionist and criminal clique and efforts to incite wars worldwide for oil and underground resources, including in Latin America.”
“Such a government is certainly not a government that the Islamic Republic seeks to cooperate or maintain relations with,” he said.
Since late August, Washington has sent warships, surveillance aircraft, and special-operations units to the southern Caribbean, threatening Venezuela with an increased military invasion.
The Leader also stressed that the United States suffered severe losses and could not achieve its goal during the 12-day aggression against the Islamic Republic in June despite deploying its most advanced military equipment.
“The United States was severely damaged in the war, despite using the latest offensive and defensive weapons, it could not achieve its goal of deceiving the nation and winning their support. Instead, the unity of the people increased, and the United States was also thwarted," he said in the televised speech.
“Of course, we also suffered losses, and, as is the nature of war, precious lives were lost. But the Islamic Republic demonstrated that it is a center of will and power, able to stand strong and make decisions without fear of the noise around it. Moreover, the material damage inflicted on the invading enemy was far greater than the material losses we suffered,” he added.
The Leader said that according to some accounts, the Israeli regime had planned and prepared for the war for 20 years, in which they hoped to provoke the people and force them to fight against the system.
On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians.
More than a week later, the US also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military base in West Asia, forcing the US and Israel to propose a ceasefire.
Ayatollah Khamenei cited US interventions in different parts of the world as a factor behind its increasing isolation in the world, saying that US interference in any region causes war, genocide, destruction, and displacement.
President thanks Leader’s supportive message
The Leader, recommending support for the president and his administration, stated that running the country is difficult and demanding.
He said the current administration has already begun implementing positive measures, including continuing unfinished projects initiated by late president Ebrahim Raeisi, and expressed hope that the people would soon see the results.
In response, President Masoud Pezeshkian in a message on X thanked the Leader for his support for the government.
“I am grateful for the support and backing of the Supreme Leader. The government, relying on the support of the great Iranian nation and the efforts of all institutions, is seriously pursuing the path of progress.”