United States President Donald Trump said Friday he believes Iran is unlikely to resume its nuclear ambitions soon following recent U.S. strikes on key facilities, which he described as “obliterated.”
Trump added that as part of the expected talks with Iran, he anticipates Tehran will agree to allow IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspectors—or another trusted entity—to monitor the facilities. The president did not rule out the presence of American inspectors on Iranian soil.
United States President Donald Trump's remarks
(Video: The White House)
Trump also said he scrapped plans to ease sanctions on Iran after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei downplayed the impact of the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and warned of further retaliation against American forces. Khamenei had claimed Trump “exaggerated” the damage and vowed Tehran could repeat the “slap” it had delivered in the region.
In a lengthy message on Truth Social, Trump criticized Khamenei for what he called a “blatantly and foolishly” false claim of victory, stating that the Iranian leader’s words were “not only untrue, but unbefitting of a man of great faith.”
“His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated,” Trump wrote, referencing the recent Israeli and U.S. military operations that reportedly targeted key nuclear facilities in Iran. Trump claimed he knew “exactly” where Khamenei was taking shelter during the campaign and said he personally intervened to stop any attempt to assassinate him.
“I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death,” the former president declared, adding that he even ordered a large group of Israeli planes returning from a mission en route to Tehran to stand down. “It was going to be the biggest attack of the war, by far.”
According to Trump, he was simultaneously working on lifting certain sanctions on Iran to facilitate a “full, fast, and complete recovery” for the country. But Khamenei’s defiant rhetoric, he said, led him to abruptly cancel all such diplomatic efforts.
“The sanctions are biting,” Trump warned, adding that Iran now faces a “burned out, blown up country, with no future, a decimated military, a horrible economy, and death all around.”
Throughout the statement, Trump portrayed himself as a restraining force, suggesting that his leadership prevented further escalation that could have plunged the region into even greater chaos. “They are always so angry, hostile, and unhappy,” he wrote of the Iranian leadership. “And look at what it has gotten them.”
He ended his message with a pointed piece of advice: “You often get more with honey than you do with vinegar. Peace!!!”
In an interview, Trump said Iran’s nuclear program had “very evil intentions” but credited the U.S. military—particularly American pilots—for carrying out what he called a “precision” operation to destroy the sites.
“We’re the only ones that could have done it,” Trump said. “They hit it right down in the spot—52,000 feet, dark, no moon. You couldn’t see a thing. And they hit the refrigerator door, as they say. That’s the size of the target.”
According to Trump, the sites hit were reinforced nuclear facilities, where Iranian workers were pouring concrete to seal hatches. He claimed the strike landed directly on freshly poured concrete, destroying the facility before it was operational.
“Everything’s down there,” he added. “It’s under millions of tons of rock.”
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Trump also suggested that Iran may now reconsider its nuclear plans, citing both the extent of the destruction and the country’s long-term failures.
“They spent over $1 trillion on nuclear, and they never got it together,” Trump said. “Time will tell, but I don’t believe that they’re going to go back into nuclear anytime soon.”
The comments come ahead of reported plans for indirect meetings between U.S. and Iranian officials. Trump did not offer specifics but said Iran is eager to talk following the strikes.
He also criticized the media for initially downplaying the success of the operation, claiming the same outlets had previously spread disinformation related to Russia and Hunter Biden.
“This was delayed credit,” he said, “for our great pilots and these great Americans.”
First published: 20:03, 06.27.25