Araghchi urged Trump to “put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone” when referring to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stressing that mutual respect must form the basis of any future agreement.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has strongly rebuked US President Donald Trump over recent remarks aimed at Iran’s Supreme Leader, warning that disrespectful rhetoric could scuttle any chance of renewed diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi urged Trump to “put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone” when referring to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stressing that mutual respect must form the basis of any future agreement.
Tehran Responds to Trump’s Claims
The sharp response comes just days after Trump, in a lengthy statement on his social media platform Truth Social, claimed that he had personally saved Khamenei from “an ugly and ignominious death” during the recent conflict between Iran and Israel. Trump also accused the Supreme Leader of “lying” about winning the war and suggested that the US and Israel had planned a massive strike on Tehran before he called it off.
“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should stop hurting the millions of heartfelt followers of Iran’s Supreme Leader with insults,” Araghchi posted. He likened the Iranian spirit to the craftsmanship of Persian carpets – complex, patient, and resilient – but warned that the country would not tolerate threats or degradation.
He added, “The Great and Powerful Iranian People do not take kindly to threats and insults. If illusions lead to worse mistakes, Iran will not hesitate to unveil its real capabilities.”
Araghchi concluded with a veiled warning: “Good will begets good will, and respect begets respect.”
Tensions Mount Over Ceasefire Aftermath
Trump’s remarks followed his unilateral declaration of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, ending 12 days of escalating military exchanges. While the truce was welcomed by global powers, it remains fragile, and both sides have continued trading rhetorical barbs.
The former US president had also suggested that his administration had been working on lifting sanctions and offering Iran a path to economic recovery. But he said that Iran’s “statement of anger, hatred, and disgust” in response to the ceasefire led him to abandon all efforts toward sanctions relief.
“Iran has to get back into the World Order flow, or things will only get worse,” Trump wrote, doubling down on his pressure campaign.
Deepening Distrust
The exchange underscores the deep mistrust that continues to define US-Iran relations, even amid intermittent hints of diplomacy. Iran’s leadership has consistently called for the lifting of crippling sanctions and respect for its sovereignty before returning to any talks, while Trump has made clear he expects Iran to comply with broad US terms or face consequences.
Trump’s tone, however, appears to have added fuel to the fire. His reference to “three evil Nuclear Sites” and his claim to know the exact location of Khamenei during the conflict has sparked outrage in Tehran and drawn criticism from observers who say the statements could inflame tensions at a time when diplomacy remains fragile.
Iran has not officially confirmed the full extent of damages during the Israel conflict, but Araghchi’s comments suggest that national pride and the image of resilience remain central to Iran’s public messaging.
