Trump Threatens New Strikes on Iran
President cites Iran's hostile rhetoric, says nuclear inspections must resume and further strikes remain on the table
- Trump ends plans to lift Iran sanctions after Khamenei's hostile remarks
- Warns of renewed airstrikes if Iran escalates uranium enrichment.
- Calls for international inspectors to access bombed nuclear sites
U.S. President Donald Trump has delivered a stark warning to Iran, saying he would consider bombing the country again if Tehran continues enriching uranium at threatening levels.
At the same time, he announced that plans to lift sanctions on Iran had been abandoned, following fiery rhetoric from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
In his first remarks after a 12-day flare-up with Israel that ended with U.S.-led airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Khamenei claimed Iran had “slapped America in the face” by launching a retaliatory strike on a major U.S. base in Qatar. He vowed that Iran would never surrender.
Trump responded with harsh words — and a startling revelation.
“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.”
According to U.S. officials cited by Reuters, Trump had previously vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei. Despite this, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi insisted any nuclear deal would require Washington to abandon what he called its “disrespectful tone” toward Iran’s Supreme Leader.
“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should stop the hostile rhetoric against Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and respect the sentiment of millions of Iranians,” Araqchi posted on X early Saturday.
Trump also revealed he had been considering removing some sanctions to aid Iran’s recovery, but said those efforts had now ended.
“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.
When asked whether the U.S. might carry out more airstrikes if Iran resumes nuclear activity, Trump did not hesitate: “Sure, without question, absolutely.”
He added that he wants international inspectors — such as those from the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — to access Iranian nuclear sites following the bombings. But inspections have been on hold since Israel began airstrikes on June 13, and Iran’s parliament voted Wednesday to suspend all future visits.
Despite the heightened tensions, Trump claimed Iran was still open to dialogue. However, the White House confirmed Thursday that no meetings between U.S. and Iranian officials have been scheduled.
