Trump Suspends Possible Iran Sanctions Relief

President Trump said Friday he halted plans to potentially ease sanctions on Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed the success of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran's nuclear program.

Trump also claimed in a Truth Social posting that he saved Khamenei from a "VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH" by opposing Israeli plans to assassinate the Iranian leader.

Trump and his advisers had hoped Iran would agree to a meeting with the U.S. next week, in which the White House planned to offer incentives — including limited sanctions relief — to jumpstart negotiations.

But a defiant video message Thursday by Khamenei — who declared victory over Israel and claimed Iran had dealt the U.S. a "slap in the face" — derailed that effort.

Trump has repeatedly urged Iran to return to the negotiating table, and said earlier this week that he would allow China to buy Iranian oil in order to help the country rebuild after the 12-day war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday evening that if Trump is "genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone toward" Khamenei.

"The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to "Daddy" to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults," Aragchi posted on X.

"If Illusions lead to worse mistakes, Iran will not hesitate to unveil its Real Capabilities, which will certainly END any Delusion about the Power of Iran."

"Why would the so-called 'Supreme Leader' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie, it is not so. As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie," Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post.

Trump wrote that in recent days, he had been working on the possible removal of sanctions imposed and other measures that would give Iran a chance for "a full, fast, and complete recovery" after the war.

"But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more, " Trump said.

Trump stressed that Iran must cooperate and rejoin the global order, or face further threats: "I wish the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with HONEY than you do with VINEGAR. PEACE!!!" he wrote.

In a pre-taped speech released Thursday, Khamenei claimed that U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities had "no major effect" and accused Trump of exaggerating their impact.

"They could not do anything, they could not achieve their goal, and they are exaggerating to cover up the truth," the supreme leader said.

Khamenei added that Iran had "dealt America a hand slap in the face" by attacking a U.S. base in Qatar, and accused the Trump administration of minimizing the damage.

The video marked Khamenei's first public appearance in a week, after days of rumors about his health and speculation over whether he remained involved in wartime decision-making.

The Iranian leader is still believed to be sheltering in a bunker, where he reportedly took cover at the start of the 12-day war over fears of an Israeli assassination attempt.

Trump claimed he knew Khamenei's exact location but refused to authorize his killing. He said he also blocked an Israeli air operation that would have killed "many Iranians" in what he described as "the biggest attack of the war, by far."

Trump said at a press conference Friday that if talks with Iran move forward, the U.S. will demand that Iran give up its remaining stockpile of enriched uranium.

He added that he does not believe Iran will try to rebuild its nuclear program, but warned that the U.S. will use military force to prevent Tehran from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels in the future.

Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is expected to visit Washington on Monday for talks with White House officials about the path forward on Iran, the war in Gaza and a planned meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump, according to a source with direct knowledge.

A U.S. source said Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington during the second half of July.