WASHINGTON, June 28 (TNF): President Donald Trump fired back after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory over Israel and threatened U.S. military bases. Trump spoke at a press conference on Friday at the White House. He said Iran’s leadership had suffered a major defeat. When asked about possible U.S. airstrikes on Iran if uranium enrichment raised concerns, Trump replied, “Sure, without question, absolutely.”
Trump doubled down in a long post on Truth Social. He accused Khamenei of lying about Iran’s success in the recent conflict. Trump said U.S. strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s targeted nuclear sites on June 21. He claimed he had spared Khamenei’s life, even though he knew his exact location. Trump said Khamenei responded with hostility instead of thanks. Because of this, Trump decided to stop efforts to lift sanctions. He warned that Iran’s future would worsen unless it rejoined the international community.
Khamenei, in a speech and on social media, threatened new attacks on U.S. bases if aggression continued. He pointed to the strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Khamenei said the attack had hurt American forces. Most of Iran’s missiles were intercepted, but one hit its target without causing casualties. Khamenei declared “total victory” over Israel. The U.S., Iran, and Israel have all claimed success in the conflict that began on June 13 with Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
Some questioned the damage done to Iran’s nuclear program. Leaked U.S. intelligence suggested the strikes may not have been as effective as Trump claimed. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the facilities were heavily damaged. But some lawmakers doubted Trump’s claim that Iran’s program was wiped out. Senator Chris Murphy said the strikes might have delayed Iran’s nuclear efforts by only a few months.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Trump to change his tone. He said Trump should show respect toward Khamenei if he truly wanted diplomacy. In Tehran, thousands gathered for funerals of commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes. They chanted defiance against Israel and the U.S. Khamenei posted on social media that Iran would never yield to U.S. pressure. He said the fight was about national pride and sovereignty.
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