ISLAMABAD: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, declaring he would order renewed airstrikes if Tehran restarts its nuclear enrichment program.
The comments, posted on his Truth Social platform, come amid heightened tensions following the 16-day war between Iran and Israel and just hours before Iran’s state funeral for senior military and nuclear figures.
In his post, Trump also made a surprising claim — that he had previously saved Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from being killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation.
He accused Khamenei of ingratitude and warned that any attempt by Iran to resume nuclear weapons development would be met with military force.
Sanctions Relief Dropped After Tehran’s Remarks
Trump said he had been considering the removal of certain U.S. sanctions — one of Iran’s major demands in previous nuclear negotiations.
However, after Khamenei’s defiant speech denying major damage from Israeli strikes and accusing the U.S. of exaggeration, Trump claimed he scrapped all efforts toward sanctions relief.
“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” Trump wrote, referring to Khamenei.
“And he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’”
Trump further criticized the Iranian leader’s tone, calling it hateful and ungrateful, and urged Tehran to return to the negotiation table.
Despite Trump’s claim, Iranian officials rejected any suggestion that new nuclear talks with the United States were imminent.
Iran Rejects IAEA Visit, Prepares State Funeral
On Friday, Iran denied a request by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi to inspect bombed nuclear sites, accusing him of being biased and silent over Israeli airstrikes.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Grossi’s approach a “betrayal of duty” in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Iran is preparing a grand funeral ceremony in Tehran for the 60 people killed during the conflict, including top generals, nuclear scientists, and civilians.
Some of the dead include children and women killed in residential airstrikes.
Iran says over 600 of its citizens died during the war, while Israel reported 28 deaths in retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks.
