On Wednesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that Israel’s recent 12-day military offensive was a calculated attempt to destabilize Iran’s Islamic system and incite public unrest aimed at toppling the government.
“The aggressors planned to weaken the Islamic Republic by targeting key individuals and sensitive centers within Iran,” Khamenei stated during a meeting with judiciary officials. Portions of his remarks were later released via videos on his official website. He asserted that the strikes were intended to provoke chaos and drive people onto the streets to bring down the regime.
Israel initiated the assault on June 13, launching an unprecedented bombing campaign that resulted in the deaths of senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iranian officials reported over 1,000 casualties.
During the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on June 15 that the strikes could potentially lead to regime change in Iran. “The Iranian regime is very weak,” he said.
In retaliation, Iran launched drone and missile attacks, reportedly killing 28 people in Israel, according to Israeli sources.
On June 22, the United States, a close Israeli ally, carried out its own unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Iran responded by targeting the U.S. Al-Udaid airbase in Qatar with missiles — a move Khamenei described as a “significant blow” to the U.S. He further warned that “even greater strikes can be dealt to the US and others.”
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A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in place since June 24. The Israeli assault occurred just two days before Iran and the U.S. were set to begin the sixth round of nuclear negotiations that had originally commenced on April 12. These talks have remained suspended since then.
Iran has reiterated its willingness to engage in diplomacy — but only if Washington provides solid guarantees against future military action. On the same day, Iran’s parliament dismissed the possibility of returning to negotiations unless certain unspecified “preconditions” are met.
Khamenei concluded by advising Iran’s diplomats and military forces to proceed with “caution and precision,” stating: “Whether in diplomacy or on the battlefield, we must act from a position of strength.”