President Donald Trump on Friday brushed off Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s warning against future U.S. military action and mocked his claim that Iran had “won the war” against Israel. Trump dismissed the comments as delusional, pointing to the extensive damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program during a 12-day conflict that included U.S. airstrikes on key facilities.
Speaking to reporters and later posting on social media, Trump took a swipe at Khamenei’s credibility, saying, “Look, you’re a man of great faith. A man who’s highly respected in his country. You have to tell the truth. You got beat to hell.”
Khamenei’s remarks aired on Iranian state television Thursday and marked his first public comments since the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. He described Iran’s retaliatory missile attack on a U.S. airbase in Qatar as a “slap to America’s face” and warned against any future strikes.
Tensions between the two nations remain high, with both leaders facing scrutiny at home over their handling of the conflict. In the U.S., an initial Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment suggested the bombings may have delayed Iran’s nuclear progress by only a few months, not years — a finding Trump and his team have pushed back on. They argue that the destruction of Iran’s nuclear sites, including one major enrichment facility, was far more severe.
In a Truth Social post, Trump revealed he had rejected an Israeli proposal to assassinate Khamenei at the height of the conflict. “His Country was decimated, his three evil Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered,” Trump wrote. “I would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces… terminate his life. I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH — and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’”
Despite threatening rhetoric, Trump reiterated that the U.S. had no current plans to target Khamenei. “At least for now,” he posted ominously.
Trump remains adamant that Iran’s nuclear sites were effectively neutralized, citing reports from the CIA and allied intelligence agencies that confirmed extensive structural damage and the shutdown of key operations.
He also signaled that Iran would be expected to submit to international inspections to prove it was not restarting its nuclear efforts. “They’re going to have to allow the IAEA — or somebody that we respect, including ourselves — to verify what’s happening,” Trump told reporters.
Although formal diplomatic talks have not resumed, U.S. officials say backchannel communications continue. A planned sixth round of negotiations in Oman was scrapped following Israel’s initial strike on Iran.
Despite the lingering tensions, Trump said he believes both sides are too weary to escalate further. “Can I tell you — they’re exhausted. And Israel’s exhausted, too,” he said. “The last thing they’re thinking right now is nuclear.”
