Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning on Thursday, vowing that Iran would target American military bases in the Middle East in response to any future US attacks. This was Khamenei’s first televised address since a ceasefire was reached between Iran and Israel.

The 86-year-old leader, speaking in a pre-recorded message broadcast on Iranian state television, emphasized that any aggression against Iran would come at a “great cost.” He highlighted Iran’s recent missile strike on a major US base in Qatar, following Washington’s involvement in the Israeli strikes on Iran.

“The Islamic Republic slapped America in the face. It attacked one of the important American bases in the region,” Khamenei stated. The address, filmed in an undisclosed indoor location, featured Khamenei seated in front of a brown curtain, flanked by an Iranian flag and a portrait of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Khamenei underscored Iran’s capability to strike US targets, asserting, “The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to important American centres in the region and can take action against them whenever it deems necessary is not a small incident, it is a major incident, and this incident can be repeated in the future if an attack is made.”

This strong message follows US President Donald Trump’s statement on Wednesday that the US would consider further strikes if Iran were to rebuild its nuclear enrichment program.