WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that he stopped working on plans to ease sanctions on Iran after critical remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stressing he would consider bombing the country again if it continues enriching uranium to dangerous levels.
Trump said the comments were full of anger and hatred, and that he immediately ended efforts to help Iran recover by lifting sanctions.
Trump responded strongly to Khamenei’s first remarks following a 12-day conflict with Israel, which ended when the United States launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites last weekend.
Khamenei declared that Iran had “slapped America in the face” by striking a major US base in Qatar in response to the US bombing. He also said Iran would never surrender.
Trump claimed that he had spared Khamenei’s life. US officials told Reuters on June 15 that Trump had rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate the supreme leader.
“His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered. I would not let Israel, or the US Armed Forces – by far the greatest and most powerful in the world – terminate his life,” Trump wrote in a social media post.
“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” he added.
Trump also revealed he had been working on a plan to lift sanctions on Iran to allow for quicker recovery — but said he had now dropped the idea.
“I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” he said.
Speaking at a White House news conference, Trump said he would not rule out further strikes if Iran’s nuclear activity posed a threat.
“Sure, without question, absolutely,” he responded when asked whether he would consider bombing Iranian nuclear sites again.
Trump also said he wanted nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — or another respected body — to examine the bombed Iranian nuclear sites. He maintained the view that the sites had been “obliterated” and dismissed reports suggesting otherwise.
He expressed support for the IAEA’s return to the sites.
The agency’s chief, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday that restoring inspections was his top priority, as none had occurred since the Israeli bombing began on June 13.
However, Iran’s parliament approved a move on Wednesday to suspend such inspections. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi suggested that Tehran might refuse any inspection requests from the IAEA’s director.
Trump said he does not believe Iran still wants to develop a nuclear weapon following the US and Israeli attacks. He described Iran as “exhausted” and said Tehran was still interested in discussing a path forward.
The White House said on Thursday that no meeting with an Iranian delegation had been scheduled.
