Trump Halts Negotiations on Easing Sanctions on Iran After Khamenei's Statements

US President Donald Trump announced via his platform on "Truth Social" on Friday, June 27, the suspension of all efforts to ease sanctions on Iran in response to statements by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which he described as "filled with anger and hatred".

This came minutes after the end of a press conference by President Trump at the White House, where he stated: "We want the International Atomic Energy Agency or any entity we respect to be able to inspect in Iran", adding: "I don't think Iran will return to the nuclear program". However, he hinted at the possibility of renewed military strikes, saying in response to a question: "I will consider bombing Iran again because of enrichment".

In a lengthy post, Trump attacked the Iranian Supreme Leader, saying: "Why does the so-called 'Supreme Leader' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, from a country torn apart by war, frankly and foolishly claim that he won the war with Israel when he knows his statement is a lie? That's not the case".

He added: "As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie. His country has been destroyed, his three evil nuclear sites have been wiped out, and I knew exactly where they were, and I will not allow Israel, or the greatest and strongest US Armed Forces in the world, to end his life".

He continued by talking about his intervention in favor of Khamenei during the recent conflict, saying: "I saved him from a terribly shameful and embarrassing death, and he doesn't have to say, 'Thank you, President Trump!'". He also revealed details of an airstrike heading towards Tehran, indicating that Israel requested the return of its planes after his intervention.

Trump explained that he had been working recently to ease sanctions to help Iran recover, but he immediately stopped that after Khamenei's statements, saying: "I received a statement full of anger, hatred, and disgust, so I immediately stopped working on easing sanctions, and more than that".

He concluded his post with a strongly worded warning: "Iran must return to the path of the world order, or things will worsen for them.. They have no hope, and things will get worse! I wish Iran's leadership realizes that honey is often more profitable than vinegar. Peace!".

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi replied via the "X" platform, calling on Trump to abandon "indecent language" towards the Supreme Leader if he is serious about reaching a nuclear agreement. He also described the insistence of the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency on visiting Iranian sites as "meaningless.. and malicious in intent".

In a related context, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that radiation levels in the Gulf remain normal despite the severe damage inflicted on Iranian facilities during the 12-day conflict.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed in a statement on Wednesday, June 25, that reliable intelligence indicates severe destruction in the Iranian nuclear program, stating: "This includes new intelligence, from a source/approach that has proven its reliability and accuracy, indicating that several key Iranian nuclear facilities have been destroyed, and rebuilding them will take years".

This statement is in line with previous statements by Trump during the NATO summit in The Hague, where he affirmed that American strikes "completely crippled the Iranian nuclear facilities".