TEHRAN, June 28 (TNF): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for insulting remarks about Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Araghchi said respectful dialogue is key if Washington wants a deal with Tehran. He wrote on X that Trump must drop what he called a “disrespectful and unacceptable tone” toward Khamenei, who has strong support in Iran.
“If President Trump truly wants a deal, he should stop insulting Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and hurting his millions of loyal followers,” Araghchi posted.
Trump had earlier lashed out on social media. He said he stopped work on lifting sanctions after Khamenei claimed victory over the U.S. in recent fighting. Trump accused Khamenei of lying about defeating Israel. “Why would the so-called ‘Supreme Leader,’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of war-torn Iran, claim he won the war with Israel? He knows it’s a lie. As a man of faith, he should not lie,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He called Iran angry and hostile.
Araghchi hit back strongly. He said Iran will protect its sovereignty and dignity. He claimed that Israel had to seek U.S. help to escape Iran’s missile strikes. “The great and powerful people of Iran showed the world that Israel had no choice but to run to ‘Daddy’ to avoid being flattened,” he said.
He warned the U.S. not to miscalculate. Araghchi said Iran would show its true strength and shatter any illusions about its power. He stressed that only mutual respect can lead to better ties.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have soared. On June 22, the U.S. hit Iran’s Fordo nuclear site with six bunker-buster bombs. It also fired cruise missiles at Natanz and Isfahan. These strikes aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear efforts.
Iran and Israel fought for 12 days after Israeli strikes on June 13. The U.S. brokered a ceasefire that ended the fighting on June 24. Rising hostilities forced Washington and Tehran to cancel a sixth round of talks set for June 15.
English