US President Donald Trump asserted on Friday that he had personally prevented the assassination of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, subsequently criticizing the supreme leader for what he termed ingratitude. Trump declared he would order additional bombing if Iran attempts to pursue nuclear weapons.
In an extraordinary and scathing outburst on his Truth Social platform, President Trump condemned Tehran’s claims of victory in its recent conflict with Israel and announced a halt to ongoing efforts regarding potential sanctions relief.
This tirade coincided with Iran’s preparations to hold a state funeral for 60 nuclear scientists and military commanders who were reportedly killed in a 12-day bombing campaign launched by Israel on June 13. Iran maintains that these scientists were among at least 627 civilians who lost their lives.
President Trump explicitly stated that the United States would bomb Iran again “without question” if intelligence indicated its capability to enrich uranium to military grade. Iran has consistently denied any ambition to develop a nuclear arsenal.
Trump accused the Iranian leader of ingratitude, following Khamenei’s defiant message claiming that reports of damage to nuclear facilities were exaggerated and that Tehran had delivered a “slap” to Washington.
“I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life,” Trump posted. “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'”
The President also claimed that he had been working in recent days on the possible removal of sanctions against Iran, a key demand from Tehran. “But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” Trump added, urging Iran to return to the negotiating table.
Iran, however, has denied any plans to resume nuclear talks with the United States, contradicting Trump’s earlier statement that negotiations were set to recommence next week. On Friday, the Iranian government rejected a request from Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to visit facilities reportedly bombed by Israel and the United States, citing “malign intent.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi personally criticized Grossi on X (formerly Twitter) for his perceived failure to condemn the air strikes, accusing him of an “astounding betrayal of his duties.”
