WASHINGTON – On Friday, President Donald Trump dismissed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s fiery warnings to the U.S. about future military actions against Iran and the Iranian leader’s claim that Tehran emerged victorious in its recent conflict with Israel.
Speaking to reporters and in an extensive post on social media, Trump criticized the ayatollah’s remarks as disconnected from reality. He referenced the significant damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program over 12 days of Israeli strikes and U.S. attacks on three critical nuclear facilities.
“You’re a man of great faith, respected in your nation, you ought to be truthful,” Trump stated in response to Khamenei’s claims. “You’ve been hit hard.”
The U.S. president spoke a day after Ayatollah Khamenei asserted that Tehran dealt a “slap to America’s face” by targeting a U.S. air base in Qatar, and warned against further U.S. or Israeli aggression. Khamenei’s message, broadcast on Iranian state television, marked his first public appearance since tensions erupted.
Amidst this exchange of heated rhetoric, both leaders are grappling with questions concerning the aftermath of these strikes. Trump and his administration have been adamant in countering the Defense Intelligence Agency’s early assessment, which suggested the U.S. strikes might only temporarily hamper Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, the 86-year-old Khamenei, known as the supreme religious and political leader in Iran, seems determined to assert his dominance despite swirling doubts about his health and active role during the 12-day ordeal.
In another social media post, Trump hinted at an early strategy devised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration intending to eliminate Khamenei. Trump related that he had rejected that plan.
“His Country was devastated, his rogue Nuclear Sites destroyed, and I knew clearly where he was hiding, opting not to allow Israel or the unmatched U.S. Armed Forces to end his life,” Trump stated on Truth Social. “I spared him a harsh and undignified end, and there’s no need for him to say, ‘Thank you, President Trump!’”
Trump has continuously used social media to caution Khamenei that, while the U.S. is aware of his location, they had no intent to eliminate him, “at least for now.”
With the conclusion of these U.S-led strikes, involving advanced U.S.-made bunker-buster bombs, Trump remains adamant that Iran’s nuclear sites have been decimated. Although the administration hasn’t refuted the DIA’s report, they have shifted focus to a CIA statement and additional intelligence evaluating that the airstrikes have inflicted substantial damage, rendering a key enrichment site unusable.
Trump also indicated that Iran is expected to allow international inspections to confirm that it halts its nuclear endeavors.
When queried about insisting on inspections during hopeful dialogues with Iran, Trump affirmed that the Islamic Republic would need to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency or any reputable group, perhaps even themselves, to inspect the premises.
White House representatives anticipate resuming discussions with Iran, though no dates have been finalized. U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff noted that communication between the nations has happened both directly and indirectly. A new session of U.S.-Iran talks was originally planned in Oman but was withdrawn amid renewed tensions as Israel launched actions against Iran.
Expressing a diminishing fear of Iran’s nuclear aspirations, Trump remarked, “They’re worn out. So is Israel.” He added, “Nuclear ambitions aren’t what they’re focusing on now.”