Trump Challenges Iran's Ayatollah, Threatens Further Military Action: ‘Tell the truth, you got beat to hell’
President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday, insisting that the cleric must acknowledge his country’s defeat at the hands of the United States and Israel. “You got beat to hell,” Trump stated, emphasizing that he had “saved” Khamenei from dire consequences during a recent conflict.
In a rare briefing at the White House, Trump addressed reporters directly, urging Khamenei to be truthful about the situation. “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,’” he recounted, dismissing Khamenei’s claims of victory.
Trump further asserted that Iran’s focus should not be on nuclear weapons at this time. “The last thing they’re thinking about is nuclear weapons right now,” he remarked, reinforcing his stance on the matter.
When pressed about future military actions, Trump did not hesitate. He stated he would “without question, absolutely” consider bombing Iran again if uranium enrichment levels became concerning. This declaration came shortly after he took to Truth Social to express his views on Khamenei’s gratitude—or lack thereof—for his intervention.
“As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie,” Trump wrote, detailing how he believed he had spared Khamenei from a “very ugly and ignominious death.” He claimed to have precise knowledge of Khamenei’s whereabouts and insisted that he prevented Israel and U.S. forces from executing a lethal strike.
Trump continued, “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” adding that he had even instructed Israel to withdraw aircraft poised for an attack on Tehran. His comments suggested that he had been negotiating potential sanctions relief for Iran, which he now claims has been abandoned due to Khamenei’s hostile rhetoric.
“The sanctions are BITING! But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust,” Trump lamented. He warned that Iran must reintegrate into the global order or face worsening conditions.
Khamenei, for his part, declared victory in the recent 12-day conflict despite losing significant control over Iranian airspace and suffering damage to three nuclear sites from U.S. bombers. He characterized the Islamic Republic as triumphant and claimed to have retaliated against America with a symbolic missile launch at a U.S. base in Qatar.
The missiles were intercepted, thanks in part to advance notice from Iran, leading to a cease-fire agreement just hours later.
