Iran slams Trump over “disrespectful” comments on Khamenei, mocks Israel’s dependence on US support
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hit back at US President Donald Trump on Saturday, calling his remarks about Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “disrespectful and unacceptable.”
The backlash follows Trump’s claim that he prevented Khamenei’s assassination during the recent conflict between Iran and Israel.
Araghchi’s response came via a post on X, where he criticised Trump’s tone and accused him of insulting millions of Iranians. “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,” he wrote.
In a sharp jab at Israel’s actions during the conflict, the Iranian foreign minister added: “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.”
The remarks come after the US joined Israel in launching strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict that began on June 13. The effectiveness of those strikes remains under debate.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, claimed he knew the whereabouts of Khamenei during the strikes but held off any lethal action.
“I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life,” he wrote. “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, 'THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'”
The US president also stated that he had been considering lifting sanctions on Iran, a key Iranian demand, but stopped the effort after receiving what he described as a hostile response from Tehran.
“But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” Trump added, urging Iran to return to the negotiating table.
Iran, however, denied any plans to resume nuclear negotiations with the US, contradicting Trump’s earlier assertion that talks would resume next week.
