Washington, June 28 — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday dropped the possibility of lifting sanctions on Iran and left the door open for another round of military strikes, following a sharp war of words with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The flare-up came days after U.S. air raids targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities in response to a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. Khamenei, in his first statement since the strikes, declared that Iran had “slapped America in the face” by retaliating with a missile attack on a major U.S. military base in Qatar. He also reaffirmed that Iran “would never surrender.”
Trump responded with a fiery series of remarks, including a claim that he personally prevented Israel and U.S. forces from assassinating Khamenei after the strikes.
“His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated, and I knew exactly where he was sheltered,” Trump wrote on social media. “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” he added.
Trump’s assertion came after a Reuters report on June 15 cited U.S. officials claiming the president had vetoed an Israeli proposal to target Khamenei directly. The situation marked a significant escalation in rhetoric and threatened to derail any chance of diplomatic engagement.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded early Saturday, saying a nuclear agreement would be impossible unless Washington ceased its public hostility toward Khamenei.
“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,” Araqchi posted on X.
Until recently, Trump said he had been working on a plan to lift sanctions and offer Iran a pathway to economic recovery. That changed abruptly following Khamenei’s remarks.
“I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” Trump said during a White House news conference.
Asked whether the U.S. could strike Iranian nuclear targets again if deemed necessary, Trump replied: “Sure, without question, absolutely.”
Trump also expressed interest in allowing international inspectors to assess the damage to the bombed sites. He proposed that either the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another respected body be granted access. He dismissed doubts over the effectiveness of the strikes.
“We hit them harder than they ever imagined,” he said.
The IAEA has not conducted inspections since Israeli airstrikes began on June 13. Its chief, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday that resuming those inspections remains a top priority. However, Iran’s parliament voted the same day to suspend such visits, complicating diplomatic efforts.
Araqchi reiterated Friday that Iran may refuse to allow IAEA inspectors to re-enter any nuclear facilities. “We won’t accept any political pressure disguised as inspection,” he said.
Despite the mounting tensions, Trump claimed Iran still wishes to explore diplomatic solutions.
“They want to talk. They want a way forward,” he said.
However, the White House clarified on Thursday that no official meeting with an Iranian delegation has been scheduled yet.
As the situation remains volatile, the possibility of renewed hostilities looms, with diplomacy hanging by a thread.
