US President Donald Trump said that he saved Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from "A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH," in a post on Truth Social, after the Islamic Republic leader claimed victory over Israel and the US during the 12-day war on social media.
Trump also added that he knew of the supreme leader's location, and said he wouldn't allow US or Israeli forces to assassinate him, and claimed that Khamenei "knows his statement is a lie."
Demands that Israel bring back planes heading 'for the final knockout'
Trump said Khamenei does not have to thank him for his life being spared or demanding that Israel "bring back a very large group of planes, which were heading directly to Tehran, looking for a big day, perhaps the final knockout!"
He claimed that had he not made the demand, it would've been "the biggest attack of the war, by far."
Trump drops all work on sanctions relief for Iran
Trump also said that he had immediately dropped work on sanctions relief for Iran.
"During the last few days, I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery," Trump wrote.
"I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately drop all work on sanction relief, and more." He then said Iran is a "burned out, blown up country, with no future, a decimated military, a horrible economy, and death all around them."
Trump finished his post by wishing "the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with HONEY than you do with VINEGAR. PEACE!!!"
If US Trump is genuine about wanting a nuclear deal with Iran, he should put aside "the disrespectful and unacceptable tone" towards Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and "stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers," Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said in a post on X early on Saturday.
Reuters contributed to this report.