WASHINGTON: Iran on Saturday sharply criticized US President Donald Trump for what it called “disrespectful and unacceptable” remarks, after he claimed to have prevented the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the recent conflict with Israel.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took to the social media platform X to respond to Trump’s statements, saying such rhetoric would only deepen hostilities and obstruct diplomatic engagement.
“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 supporters,” Araghchi said.
The remarks come a day after Trump claimed on Truth Social that he had personally intervened to stop Israel and the US military from killing Khamenei during strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which took place earlier this month as part of a 12-day conflict involving Israel and Iran.
“I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces… terminate his life,” Trump said, adding: “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH.”
The US president further criticized Khamenei for what he called a lack of gratitude, saying, “He does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’” Trump also claimed he had been working towards easing sanctions on Iran before halting those efforts following what he described as “a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust” from Khamenei.
Meanwhile, Iran has denied reports of a possible resumption of nuclear negotiations with Washington. Trump had suggested earlier in the week that new talks could begin “next week”, following the end of hostilities with Israel.
“There will be no talks with a party that does not respect Iran’s dignity,” a senior Iranian diplomat said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
In his post, Araghchi also addressed the broader Iranian public’s sentiment, writing: “The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to ‘Daddy’ to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults.”
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