U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, vowing to bomb the country “absolutely” if it resumes nuclear weapons development. The remarks came in a fiery post on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Friday, in which he directly targeted Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for claiming victory in the recent 12-day conflict with Israel.
Trump accused Khamenei of “blatantly and foolishly lying” and said the Iranian leader had narrowly escaped death during the war. “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, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life.”
The former president’s comments follow Khamenei’s public declaration that Iran had emerged victorious in the war and had delivered a “slap” to the United States by launching missile strikes at a U.S. military base in Qatar in retaliation for attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.
Trump also revealed he had personally urged Israel to halt what he described as “the final knockout,” suggesting that restraint was exercised despite heavy damage inflicted on Iranian infrastructure.
While Trump insists the strikes crippled Iran’s nuclear program, a leaked intelligence report casts doubt, stating that the damage set Iran back by only a few months—not years—as claimed.
In the same post, Trump said Khamenei’s recent statements—“a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust”—prompted him to abandon efforts toward sanctions relief and economic engagement with Iran.
“There was a path for sanctions removal, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery,” Trump stated. “But not with lies and threats.”
The escalation of rhetoric comes just days after a fragile ceasefire brought a halt to open hostilities between Israel and Iran. Analysts warn that Trump’s comments risk reigniting tensions and could complicate diplomatic efforts moving forward.
