On Friday, 27 June, US President Donald Trump strongly criticised Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also confirmed that plans to ease sanctions on Iran had been dropped. Trump warned he might take further military action if Iran continues enriching uranium to dangerous levels.
These remarks followed Khamenei’s first statement since a 12-day conflict involving Israel. The conflict ended after the US launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites last weekend.
Response from the Supreme Leader and Iran’s stance
Khamenei claimed Iran struck back by attacking a key US military base in Qatar after the air raids. He said Iran would not surrender.
Trump said he deliberately avoided targeting Khamenei during the strikes. US officials told Reuters on 15 June that Trump rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate the Iranian leader.
In a social media post, Trump wrote: “His country suffered heavy damage, with three nuclear facilities destroyed. I knew where he was protected and stopped Israel or the US armed forces—arguably the most powerful in the world—from killing him.”
He added, “I saved him from a very unpleasant and dishonourable end.”
Iran has said it will only consider a nuclear deal if the US stops speaking disrespectfully about the Supreme Leader.
“If President Trump wants a deal, he should stop using unacceptable language against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop offending millions of sincere followers,” said Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on the social platform X early Saturday.
Possible further action and inspection issues
Trump also said he had considered lifting some sanctions to help Iran’s economy recover quickly. But he abandoned those plans after hostile comments from Tehran.
“I received statements full of anger and hatred, so I immediately stopped work on sanction relief,” he said.
When asked about new strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump did not rule them out.
“Absolutely, without hesitation,” he replied.
Trump wants inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another trusted body to visit Iran’s nuclear facilities after last weekend’s bombings.
He dismissed claims that the damage was less severe than he said.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday that resuming inspections is a top priority. No inspections have taken place since Israel began bombing on 13 June.
However, Iran’s parliament passed a law on Wednesday to suspend these inspections. Abbas Araqchi suggested on Friday that Iran may refuse future IAEA requests to visit nuclear sites.
Trump said Iran still wants to discuss next steps. The White House, however, confirmed on Thursday that no meeting with an Iranian delegation has been set.
