Iran warns Trump over ‘disrespect' to Khamenei amid post-war tensions
WASHINGTON — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern warning to U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, insisting that any future negotiations must begin with a change in tone toward Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
'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, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,' Araghchi wrote on X.
The rebuke followed Trump's comments on Truth Social, where he criticized Khamenei's declaration of victory over the United States and Israel following a US-brokered ceasefire that ended 12 days of hostilities.
'Why would the so-called 'Supreme Leader'... say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the war with Israel... It is not so,' Trump wrote, accusing Khamenei of lying and describing Iran as 'always so angry, hostile, and unhappy.'
In response, Araghchi defended Khamenei and accused the U.S. of provoking Iran with both rhetoric and military aggression. 'If illusions lead to worse mistakes, Iran will not hesitate to unveil its real capabilities,' he warned. 'Good will begets good will, and respect begets respect.'
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated since the U.S. dropped six bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordo nuclear facility and launched additional cruise missile strikes on Natanz and Isfahan on June 22.
The attacks came amid a wider conflict that included Israeli airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure on June 13.
Although a US-brokered ceasefire went into effect on June 24, Iran has maintained a defiant posture. Araghchi emphasized Iran's independence, saying, 'The Great and Powerful Iranian People... do not take kindly to threats and insults.'
A sixth round of talks between the U.S. and Iran was originally scheduled for June 15 but was derailed by the outbreak of hostilities. It remains unclear if negotiations will resume in the near term. — Agencies
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