On May 17, 2025, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly accused President Donald Trump of dishonesty regarding his stated intentions for peace in the Middle East. Addressing a gathering in Tehran, Khamenei dismissed Trump’s claims as false, asserting that the U.S. uses its power to support aggression in the region. His remarks were met with chants of “Death to America,” “Death to England,” and “Death to Israel” from the assembled crowd.
Khamenei criticized the U.S. for supplying powerful weapons to Israel, which he claimed are used against civilians in Gaza. He labeled Trump’s threats as embarrassing for both him and the American people.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed Khamenei’s sentiments, highlighting the contradiction between Trump’s peaceful rhetoric and aggressive threats. Pezeshkian stated that Iran would continue nuclear talks without succumbing to intimidation.
The U.S. is currently attempting to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran, aiming to prevent the regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon. U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized that uranium enrichment is a red line in these negotiations, stating, “We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability.”
Khamenei’s statements underscore Iran’s longstanding opposition to U.S. influence in the Middle East. He reiterated the call for the United States to leave the region, reflecting ongoing tensions between the two nations.
