US Suffered Heavy Losses Despite Advanced Weapons in 12-Day War: Ayatollah Khamenei

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, leader of the Islamic Revolution, said that the US sustained significant losses during the 12-day battle with Iran in June despite deploying superior military equipment such as submarines, fighter jets, and cutting-edge defense systems.

In a televised speech on Thursday night, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “In the 12-day war, the Iranian nation undoubtedly defeated both the United States and the Zionist regime. They came and committed mischief but were beaten and returned empty-handed, failing to achieve any of their objectives—this was a real defeat for them.”

The supreme leader stated that the Zionist authority, as per some stories, had been preparing for the conflict for 20 years.

“They had planned a war in which they hoped to provoke the people and force them to fight against the system. But the situation was reversed, and they failed so completely that even those who had disagreements with the system stood alongside it, creating a general unity in the country,” the Islamic leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the US’s huge losses sustained in the 12-day battle, despite the deployment of its most advanced military equipment, including submarines, fighter jets, and cutting-edge defense systems.

“The United States was severely damaged in this war, since 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 stated.

“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,” the supreme leader further said.

Notably. Israel earlier this year initiated an unprovoked aggression on Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary citizens on June 13.

Over a week later, the US joined the conflict by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

However, in retaliation, the Iranian Armed Forces attacked vital sites throughout the seized areas, as well as the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is the largest American military facility in West Asia.