In a dramatic turn of events, President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has scrapped plans to ease sanctions on Iran and is now openly considering renewed military strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities. The escalation comes after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made defiant remarks following a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel that recently concluded with U.S.-led airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
🔊 "Iran slapped America in the face," Khamenei declared during his first public statement since the conflict ended, referencing Tehran’s missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar.
Khamenei also vowed that Iran would “never surrender.” That was enough for Trump to change course.
🗣️ “I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” Trump said.
In a stunning escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions, President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has scrapped plans to lift sanctions on Iran — and is not ruling out bombing the country again. The dramatic statement followed a fiery back-and-forth with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and comes just days after U.S. airstrikes hit Iranian nuclear sites.
Speaking at a White House news conference, Trump didn’t mince words:
“I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more.”
Trump’s remarks followed Khamenei’s defiant speech after a 12-day military conflict between Iran and Israel, in which the U.S. intervened by bombing three major Iranian nuclear facilities. Khamenei had boasted that Iran “slapped America in the face” with a retaliatory strike on a U.S. base in Qatar and declared that Iran would “never surrender.”
💣 A Near Miss: Trump Claims He Blocked Israeli Assassination Plan
In what could be the most jaw-dropping revelation of the day, Trump said he personally vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei during the conflict.
“His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated, and I knew exactly where he was sheltered,” Trump wrote on social media.
“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH.”
According to U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters, Israeli forces had reportedly presented a plan to eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader. Trump intervened, citing the potential fallout of such a strike.
🛑 No More Relief: Trump Ends Nuclear Diplomacy (Again)
Just days ago, Trump had reportedly been exploring the possibility of easing sanctions on Tehran as a way to bring Iran back to the negotiating table. That effort is now over.
Trump pointed to Iran’s “tone” — particularly Khamenei’s rhetoric — as the reason.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi fired back early Saturday on X (formerly Twitter), saying any future deal is conditional on the U.S. showing respect to Iran’s leadership.
“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader... and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,” Araqchi said.
🕵️♂️ Inspections Blocked as IAEA Warns of Blind Spots
Another flashpoint in the conflict is the future of nuclear inspections. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not conducted any inspections of Iranian facilities since Israel’s bombing campaign began on June 13.
IAEA Director Rafael Grossi said this week that restoring access was his “top priority,” but Iran’s parliament has already moved to suspend inspections, and Araqchi hinted that Tehran may reject future inspection requests altogether.
Trump, meanwhile, dismissed any suggestion that the strikes didn’t cause major damage.
“We obliterated those sites. I want the IAEA, or anyone credible, to go in and confirm just how much was destroyed.”
👥 What's Next?
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump claims Iran still wants to talk — though the White House says no formal meeting has been scheduled.
The situation remains highly volatile. Trump left the door open to further military action, saying he would “absolutely” consider new airstrikes if Iran resumes or escalates its nuclear enrichment activities.
For now, diplomacy appears frozen, inspections are blocked, and sanctions are staying in place — with both sides digging in for a potentially longer conflict.
