Washington D.C., Pakistan Time: Saturday, June 28, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has ceased efforts to ease sanctions on Iran, a decision he attributes to recent “anger and hatred” filled remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump also reasserted that he would consider bombing Iran again if it continues enriching uranium to dangerous levels.
Trump’s strong response came just hours after Khamenei’s first public statements following a 12-day conflict with Israel, which culminated in U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites last weekend (around June 21-22, 2025). Khamenei had defiantly declared that Iran had “slapped America in the face” by striking a major U.S. base in Qatar in retaliation for the U.S. bombing, and vowed that Iran would “never surrender.”
In a social media post, Trump claimed that he had spared Khamenei’s life. He stated that U.S. officials had informed him on June 15, 2025, that he 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, adding, “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH.”
Trump further revealed that he had been actively working on a plan to lift sanctions on Iran to facilitate a quicker recovery. However, he said, “I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more.”
During a White House news conference, Trump affirmed his willingness to consider further strikes if Iran’s nuclear activities become a threat. When asked if he would bomb Iranian nuclear sites again, he responded, “Sure, without question, absolutely.”
Trump also expressed his desire for nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another respected body to examine the bombed Iranian nuclear sites. He maintained his belief that the sites had been “obliterated” and dismissed any reports suggesting otherwise. He voiced support for the IAEA’s return to the sites, echoing IAEA chief Rafael Grossi’s statement on Wednesday that restoring inspections was his top priority, as none had occurred since the Israeli bombing began on June 13, 2025.
However, Iran’s parliament approved a measure on Wednesday to suspend such inspections. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi hinted that Tehran might refuse any inspection requests from the IAEA’s director, suggesting that Iran’s Guardian Council had ratified a parliamentary bill to cease cooperation with the IAEA.
Despite the recent hostilities, Trump said he does not believe Iran still aims to develop a nuclear weapon, describing Iran as “exhausted” and still interested in discussions for a path forward. The White House, however, confirmed on Thursday that no meeting with an Iranian delegation had been scheduled.
