By M10News International Desk | © M10News 2025
US President Donald Trump has claimed he personally prevented an Israeli military strike targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the recent conflict between the two nations.
The remarks, shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform Friday, come just a day after Khamenei declared Iran had achieved “victory” over Israel and dealt a “slap in the face” to the United States.
In his post, Trump criticised the Iranian leader’s televised address, calling Khamenei’s claims “a lie” and warning that Iran’s current leadership faces a bleak future without change.
“Why would the so-called ‘Supreme Leader,’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war-torn country of Iran, so blatantly and foolishly claim victory when he knows it’s not true?” Trump wrote. “As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie.”
The US president further alleged that both American and Israeli forces had the opportunity to target Khamenei, but that he personally intervened to halt the operation.
“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP’,” Trump wrote, adding that he had ordered Israel to “bring back a very large group of planes” that were en route to Tehran for what he described as “perhaps the final knockout.”
Trump, who has repeatedly called for renewed talks with Tehran, said he had been considering lifting some sanctions to give Iran “a chance to move towards a quick and full recovery,” but shelved those plans following Khamenei’s remarks.
“They are always so angry, hostile, and unhappy, and look at what it has gotten them – a burned-out, blown-up country with no future, a decimated military, a horrible economy, and death all around them,” Trump stated.
Khamenei, in his Thursday address, downplayed the impact of US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, describing reports of damage as exaggerated. “They could not do anything, they could not achieve their goal, and they are exaggerating to cover up the truth,” he told state television.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, Trump confirmed that talks between Washington and Tehran are expected to take place next week, reiterating his desire for Iran to rejoin the “world order.”
“I wish the leadership of Iran would realise you often get more with honey than you do with vinegar,” Trump added, ending his post with “PEACE!!!”
The latest exchanges come amid ongoing tensions following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which ended with a ceasefire on June 24.
Both nations have claimed victory, while independent assessments suggest the conflict has inflicted significant damage on Iran’s military capabilities and worsened its economic crisis.
The White House has not issued an official statement regarding Trump’s claims. Iranian officials have also yet to formally respond to the latest remarks.
Source: M10News | Additional reporting from Iranian State Media and Truth Social statements
