Iran’s Supreme Leader says US strikes on nuclear sites achieved nothing | BBC News

Summary

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei made his first public appearance since US airstrikes on nuclear facilities, claiming the strikes were ineffective and only a show of force by President Trump. Amid a fragile ceasefire, Tehran is slowly recovering, with residents returning to the city. However, civilians continue to suffer from the ongoing conflict, including those injured in Israel's strikes. Despite Iran's denial of accusations related to terrorism and nuclear development, many Iranians hope for a better relationship with the West. This tense moment marks a critical phase in Iran's long-standing conflict with Israel and the US.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei made his first public appearance after the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming that they had achieved nothing.
• 😀 Khamenei declared victory in the conflict with Israel, dismissing the US airstrikes as mere showmanship by President Trump.
• 😀 International correspondent Lee Ducet is reporting from Tehran, with restrictions preventing the use of her coverage on BBC's Persian service.
• 😀 Iranian authorities impose a law that prevents all international media from broadcasting content on the BBC's Persian service within Iran.
• 😀 The Iranian state TV studio, where the Supreme Leader's speeches are aired, was attacked by Israel, leading to the destruction of the studio and the evacuation of the newsreader.
• 😀 Despite the destruction, Khamenei delivered a fiery message, emphasizing Iran's rejection of surrender and resilience as a nation.
• 😀 Tehran is gradually returning to normal with residents coming back to the city, despite the lingering effects of the war and the difficult living conditions.
• 😀 In a hospital ward, civilians like Mortza, who were injured during the conflict, share their stories of suffering, with Mortza criticizing Israel's claims of only targeting military sites.
• 😀 The abandoned American embassy in Tehran remains a symbol of the tense relationship between Iran and the West, particularly over accusations of terrorism sponsorship and nuclear ambitions.
• 😀 Iranians, like Amir, express a desire for better relations with the United States, though the current situation remains grim, with the public message being defiant and the atmosphere dark due to ongoing challenges.

Q & A

What was the main message conveyed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in his first public appearance since the US air strikes?

Ayatollah Khamenei claimed that the US air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities achieved nothing and called them a display of showmanship by President Trump. He also declared victory in the conflict with Israel.

Why is Lee Ducet's report from Tehran restricted in its coverage?

Lee Ducet's coverage is restricted because Iranian authorities have a law that prohibits international media from broadcasting content on the BBC's Persian service, which airs to the people of Iran.

What event caused the newsreader to flee from the Iranian state TV studio?

The Israeli airstrike on the state TV studio forced the newsreader to flee, as the studio was damaged and caught on fire.

What did Ayatollah Khamenei say about the idea of surrender in Iran?

Ayatollah Khamenei rejected the idea of surrender, stating that for a country like Iran, the notion of surrender is laughable to anyone who truly knows the Iranian nation.

How is Tehran described as it recovers from the war?

Tehran is slowly returning to normal, with its infamous traffic and beautiful bazaars. Residents are beginning to return to the city after fleeing to escape the bombings.

Who is Mortza and what happened to him during the conflict?

Mortza is a civilian who was working in the transport department when Israel bombed the entrance to the notorious Evin prison. He was injured during the attack and expresses disbelief that countries like England, France, the US, and the UN do not condemn Israel for such actions.

How does the Iranian public feel about the relationship between Iran and the United States, according to the report?

Many Iranians, like Amir in the former US embassy, express a desire for a better relationship between America and Iran, even during these dark times.

What does the blackened state TV studio symbolize in the context of the report?

The blackened state TV studio symbolizes the dark moment Iran is facing, representing the most difficult and dangerous decisions confronting the Supreme Leader, and the ongoing challenges of the conflict with Israel.

What is the significance of the abandoned US embassy in Tehran?

The abandoned US embassy serves as a monument to the troubled relationship between Iran and the West. It reflects the history of Iran being accused of sponsoring terrorism and attempting to develop a nuclear bomb, charges that Iran denies.

What are the broader implications of the conflict as described in the report?

The conflict with Israel and the international pressure on Iran mark a new, uncertain chapter in the long-standing war. The Supreme Leader is faced with difficult choices as he navigates the country's future amidst ongoing challenges.