Tensions Escalate as Iran Condemns Trump’s Remarks, Rejects Nuclear Dialogue

 Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, describing them as “disrespectful and unacceptable,” after Trump claimed he had personally saved Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, from an “ugly and ignominious death.”

“If President Trump is serious about pursuing a deal, he must abandon his disrespectful and offensive rhetoric towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and cease undermining the sentiments of millions of his devoted supporters,” Araghchi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The Iranian Foreign Minister further warned that Iran’s capabilities should not be underestimated, stating, “The great and resilient Iranian people, who demonstrated that the Israeli regime had no choice but to retreat in the face of our missile response, will not tolerate threats and insults. Should illusions give rise to further miscalculations, Iran will not hesitate to reveal its true strength, which will dispel any misconceptions about the power of the Islamic Republic.”

The diplomatic clash follows heightened tensions after the Iran-Israel ceasefire, with Ayatollah Khamenei declaring victory and asserting that the United States “achieved nothing” with its strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The Supreme Leader described Iran’s retaliatory measures as delivering a “slap” to both Israel and the United States and vowed that any future aggression would be met with forceful response.

In response, President Trump issued a scathing statement on Truth Social, refuting Khamenei’s claims and revealing previously undisclosed details about recent military operations.

“Why would the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, falsely claim victory over Israel when he knows that’s untrue?” Trump wrote. “His country was devastated, his three illegal nuclear sites were obliterated, and I knew exactly where he was hiding. I prevented Israel and the US Armed Forces—by far the most powerful in the world—from eliminating him. I saved him from a very ugly and humiliating death, and yet he shows no gratitude.”

Trump claimed that during the final stages of the conflict, he ordered Israel to recall a large formation of aircraft en route to Tehran, saying, “Massive destruction and countless Iranian casualties were avoided because of that decision.”

The US President also revealed that he had been considering the easing of sanctions on Iran, which he argued could have paved the way for Iran’s economic recovery. However, he claimed Khamenei’s aggressive rhetoric forced him to abandon those plans.

“Iran must rejoin the global order, or the situation will continue to deteriorate,” Trump stated. “They remain angry, hostile, and isolated, and look at where it has led them—a shattered nation, a broken military, a collapsing economy, and death all around. I urge Iran’s leadership to understand that honey often achieves more than vinegar. Peace is still possible.”

The United States launched precision strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last weekend. While the extent of the damage remains debated, international observers have noted significant setbacks to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Despite earlier US assertions that nuclear negotiations could resume following the ceasefire, Tehran has categorically rejected any such prospect. Foreign Minister Araghchi confirmed that “no agreement, timeline, or discussion” has been established regarding the resumption of talks.

The situation remains volatile, with both nations locked in a cycle of escalating rhetoric and retaliatory threats, further complicating diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.