Analysis On Iranian Supreme Leader’s Statements on Potential Strikes Against US Bases in the Middle East

On 26 June 2025, Khamenei delivered a televised address where he similarly stated that Iran delivered a "slap in the face" to the United States, adding that the actions can be repeated.

MIDDLE EAST — On 12 July 2025, Saudi state-owned news agency Al Arabiya reported that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a new threat to attack American bases in the Middle East, in which the Supreme Leader reportedly stated that the previous attack on the Udeid Air Base "can be repeated".

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The news agency cited Khamenei as saying, “Striking Al Udeid Air Base is not a small incident but a major one that can be repeated," referring to an attack that Iran carried out on the base, which serves as a forward headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM) last month.

US military operations targeted Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on 22 June 2025, using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles. Iran retaliated the next day with 14 ballistic missiles aimed at Al Udeid Air Base, a key US Central Command hub in Qatar, with one missile penetrating defenses and damaging communications equipment.

This marked the largest Patriot missile engagement in US history, according to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A ceasefire followed, during which Khamenei’s 26 June 2025 statement warned of future retaliatory actions, aligning with the recent report by Al Arabiya. We were unable to track the claim by Al Arabiya beyond that news agency; if this changes, we'll update this report with additional information.

On 26 June 2025, Khamenei delivered a televised address where he similarly stated, "The Islamic Republic has been victorious and delivered a heavy slap to the US’s face in return. It [Iran] attacked and inflicted damage on the Al-Udeid Air Base, which is one of the US’s key bases in the region. The same people who made exaggerated claims in the previous case tried to downplay this one, claiming that nothing much had happened. But in fact, a major event had taken place. The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to key US centers in the region and can take action whenever it deems necessary is a significant matter. It’s quite significant. Such an action can be repeated in the future too. Should any aggression occur, the enemy - the aggressor - will definitely pay a heavy price."