United States President Donald Trump has warned that he would order new military strikes on Iran 'without question' if the country resumes efforts to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons.
Trump made the statement on Friday via his Truth Social platform, where he also claimed to have personally protected Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, from an assassination plot during the recent conflict with Israel.
The U.S. president accused Khamenei of being ungrateful after allegedly saving his life.
"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. I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, 'THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'," Trump wrote.
According to Trump, his administration had been considering sanctions relief for Iran but abandoned the idea after Khamenei's defiant remarks.
"I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery - The sanctions are BITING! But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more," he added.
Khamenei had earlier dismissed claims that U.S. and Israeli airstrikes seriously damaged Iran's nuclear facilities, boasting that Iran had defeated Israel and humiliated the U.S.
Trump expressed frustration over those remarks.
"They are always so angry, hostile, and unhappy, and look at what it has gotten them - A burned out, blown up Country, with no future, a decimated Military, a horrible Economy, and DEATH all around them. They have no hope, and it will only get worse," he said.
Despite Trump's claims, Iran has denied plans to resume nuclear talks with Washington. This contradicts Trump's recent statement at a NATO summit, where he announced that fresh negotiations would begin next week.
Meanwhile, Iran has rejected a request by the UN's nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, to inspect sites targeted during the airstrikes, accusing him of siding with the attackers.
Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed hope for a peace deal but warned that further strikes were possible if Iran's nuclear activities continued.
Trump concluded by declaring that Iran "got beat to hell" during the fighting and described the current ceasefire, which followed 12 days of hostilities, as the perfect opportunity to resolve the crisis.
Ayatollah Khamenei, however, insisted in a televised address that Iran had achieved "victory" over Israel and vowed to resist all U.S. pressure.
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