If US President Donald Trump really wants a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran, he must stop using the "disrespectful and unacceptable tone" towards the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and "stop hurting his millions of sincere followers". This was reported by Reuters, citing an article in "Ex" of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, BTA reports.
President Donald Trump mocked yesterday Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's warning to the United States not to launch future strikes on Iran, as well as the Iranian supreme leader's claim that Tehran had "won the war" with Israel. In statements to the media, and later in a lengthy statement on social media, Trump said the ayatollah's comments contradict reality, after 12 days of Israeli strikes and the US bombing of three key nuclear sites caused serious damage to the country's nuclear program, the Associated Press notes.
According to Trump, Khamenei's comments were unbecoming of the most powerful political and religious figure in Iran.
"Look, you're a man of great faith. A man who is very respected in his country. You have to tell the truth," Trump said of Khamenei. "You were crushed."
He also reiterated that he knew exactly where the Iranian leader was hiding and saved him from death, the AP notes.
Trump continued to insist on independent inspections of Iran's nuclear program, despite the recent conflict, the DPA notes. He said they should be carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or "by someone we respect, including ourselves."
During the war, which began on June 13, Iran suffered serious attacks on its nuclear and military facilities, and lost many high-ranking scientists and military leaders in Israeli strikes. The US has also intervened on Israel's side by striking Iranian nuclear sites. In response to the attacks, the Iranian parliament recently voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA until the "safety" of its nuclear facilities is guaranteed.
The Vienna-based agency noted that Tehran has not yet officially notified the IAEA of the suspension of cooperation.
Trump stressed that he would "without a doubt" order another bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities if concerns about Tehran's uranium enrichment resurfaced.