U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy once again, this time by claiming he personally prevented the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the recent Israel-Iran conflict. His comments have sparked outrage in Tehran, with Iranian officials calling his remarks “disrespectful and unacceptable.”
Speaking through a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump said he stopped both U.S. and Israeli forces from killing Khamenei during targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier this month. The strikes, part of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, reportedly hit key facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.
“I knew exactly where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel or the U.S. Armed Forces terminate his life,” Trump wrote. “I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death.”
He went on to criticize Khamenei for showing no appreciation, saying, “He does not have to say, ‘Thank you, President Trump!’” Trump also claimed he had been working to ease sanctions on Iran but stopped after Khamenei issued what he described as a “statement of anger, hatred, and disgust.”
Iranian officials were quick to respond. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Trump’s comments on social media platform X, warning that such rhetoric only fuels hostility and undermines chances for diplomacy.
“If President Trump is serious about wanting a deal, he should stop the disrespectful language toward Iran’s Supreme Leader and stop hurting the millions who support him,” Araghchi said.
Meanwhile, speculation about renewed nuclear talks was put to rest by Iranian diplomats. Despite Trump’s suggestion earlier in the week that negotiations could restart soon, Tehran firmly denied any such plans.
“There will be no talks with a party that does not respect Iran’s dignity,” said a senior Iranian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Araghchi also took the opportunity to defend Iran’s stance in the recent conflict, claiming that Israel was forced to seek U.S. protection due to Iranian missile power. “The great and powerful Iranian people showed the world that the Israeli regime had no choice but to run to ‘Daddy’ to avoid being flattened by our missiles,” he posted.
As tensions remain high, Trump issued yet another warning: if Iran resumes its nuclear weapons programme, the U.S. would not hesitate to take further military action. In his words, “His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated.”
For now, diplomatic dialogue seems unlikely, with both sides doubling down on threats rather than taking steps toward peace.
