Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory over the United States and Israel Thursday in his first public statement since a Monday ceasefire ended the "12 Day War." Khamenei had been absent from the public sphere for nearly a week before his Thursday statement,

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday his country had delivered a “slap to America’s face” with its strike on an American base in Qatar, and warned against any further U.S. attacks in his first public comments since a ceasefire was declared with Israel after 12 days of war.

The aging leader’s message was defiant but somber, delivered in front of a tan curtain flanked by an Iranian flag and a portrait of his predecessor.