Ali Larijani, senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, discussed the war with Israel in a June 29, 2025 interview on SNN.ir (Iran), downplaying the damage done to Iran by the United States. He confirmed that on the first day of the war, he received a warning phone call from the Israelis telling him he had 12 hours to leave Iran or distance himself from Tehran — but said “no one heeded their call.”

Larijani said that Israel had the upper hand on day one, but Iran gradually gained the advantage. He claimed the U.S. had to step in to help Israel when it was “floundering.” The American strike on Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, he said, was merely a face-saving move meant to pressure Iran to stop fighting.

Larijani added that President Trump hinted at regime change, only for the White House to later walk it back. He said Iran was expected to surrender unconditionally - but instead, it was Trump who came “begging,” asking Iran not to retaliate too forcefully against the Al-Udeid base in Qatar so Trump could save face. Larijani said Iran retaliated decisively and accused Trump of lying about the impact. “More missiles hit than Trump claimed,” he said. “It was too humiliating to admit the real damage.”