WASHINGTON. U.S. President Donald Trump announced he has scrapped plans to lift sanctions on Iran and said he is considering another bombing campaign if Tehran is found to be enriching uranium to concerning levels.
Trump’s remarks came after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made his first public statement following a 12-day conflict with Israel, which concluded with U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Khamenei claimed Iran had “slapped America in the face” by attacking a major U.S. base in Qatar in response to the bombings. He also vowed that Iran would “never surrender.”
In a social media post, Trump claimed he spared Khamenei’s life, revealing he blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate the Iranian leader. “His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated, and I knew exactly where he was sheltered,” Trump wrote. “I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death.”
Iran responded by tying any potential revival of nuclear negotiations to a change in U.S. rhetoric. “If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X early Saturday.
Trump revealed he had been working on a plan to ease sanctions on Iran to help the country recover quickly, but reversed course after Khamenei’s remarks. “I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” he said.
Speaking at a White House news conference, Trump said he would not rule out authorizing further military strikes if necessary. “Sure, without question, absolutely,” he said, when asked whether more bombing of Iranian nuclear sites could occur.
Trump also said he wants inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another trusted entity to access and verify the damage at Iran’s nuclear facilities. He dismissed suggestions that the U.S. strikes caused limited damage.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Wednesday that resuming inspections is his top priority, as none have occurred since Israeli strikes began on June 13. However, Iran’s parliament has approved measures to suspend such inspections, and Araqchi indicated on Friday that Tehran may reject any IAEA visit requests.
Despite escalating tensions, Trump said Iran still wants to meet to discuss a path forward. The White House, however, stated on Thursday that no meeting has been scheduled between the U.S. and any Iranian delegation.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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