Trump needles Iran’s ayatollah and threatens more strikes:
By Steven Nelson
WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei needs to be honest about the fact that he “got beat to hell” by the US and Israel and was “saved” by Trump — and warned that America would bomb his country again if he continues to enrich uranium.
“I said, ‘Look, you’re a man of great faith, a man who is highly respected in his country, you have to tell the truth. You got beat to hell,’” Trump told reporters after mocking the supreme leader for claiming he won the recent conflict.
“The last thing they’re thinking about is nuclear weapons right now,” the president added during his rare appearance in the White House briefing room.
Donald Trump at a press briefing.
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Trump had a short press conference on Friday, June 27, 2025.
AP
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei giving a televised speech.
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Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Trump also said that he would “without question, absolutely” consider bombing Iran again if it enriches uranium to an extent that concerns him.
Moments later, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the 86-year-old cleric, who has led Iran since 1989, owes him his life — and that due to his lack of gratitude the US would continue to enforce crippling sanctions.
Satellite image showing damage at the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran.
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A satellite image of the Fordow nuclear facility shows clear damage from the US airstrikes.
AP
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Satellite image of craters at the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran.
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A picture of holes and craters from US airstrikes seen near the Fordow nuclear facility.
AP
“As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie. His Country was decimated, his three evil Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life,” Trump wrote.
“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’ In fact, in the final act of the War, I demanded that Israel bring back a very large group of planes, which were heading directly to Tehran, looking for a big day, perhaps the final knockout!”
Overhead view of the Fordow underground complex in Iran.
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A picture of the Fordow nuclear facility after US airstrikes hit.
MAXAR Technologies
Trump added: “During the last few days, I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery – The sanctions are BITING! But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more. Iran has to get back into the World Order flow, or things will only get worse for them.”
Khamenei claimed Thursday he was “victorious” in the 12-day war despite losing control of his country’s airspace to Israel before US bombers leveled three nuclear sites on Saturday.
B-2 Spirit taking off at night.
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A US Air Force B-2 Spirit takes off to support Operation Midnight Hammer.
509th Bomb Wing/USAF / SWNS
“The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face,” Khamenei claimed on X, referring to a symbolic launch of 14 rockets at a US base in Qatar Monday.
The missiles were shot down thanks in part to Iran’s advance notice and Tehran agreed to a cease-fire hours later.
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