Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, claimed victory after 12 days of war, culminating in an Iranian attack on the largest U.S. base in the region, located in Qatar, after Washington joined the Israeli strikes.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is in a tenuous position, with detractors faulting him for setbacks and even supporters signaling concerns over his leadership.

The ayatollah speaks for the first time since the conflict ended, as the US insists Iran's nuclear sites are destroyed.