WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei needed to be truthful about the fact that he “got beat to hell” by the US and Israel — and warned that America would bomb Iran again if it continues to enrich uranium.
“I said, ‘Look, you’re a man of great faith, a man who is highly respected in his country, you have to tell the truth. You got beat to hell,’” Trump told reporters after mocking the supreme leader for claiming he won the recent conflict.
“The last thing they’re thinking about is nuclear weapons right now,” the president added during his rare appearance in the White House briefing room.
Trump also said that he would “without question, absolutely” consider bombing Iran again if it enriches uranium to an extent that concerns him.
Khamenei claimed Thursday he was “victorious” in the 12-day war despite losing control of his country’s airspace to Israel before US bombers leveled three nuclear sites on Saturday.
“The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face,” Khamenei claimed on X, referring to a symbolic launch of 14 rockets at a US base in Qatar Monday.
The missiles were shot down thanks in part to Iran’s advance notice and Tehran agreed to a cease-fire hours later.
