Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sharply dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that his administration had dismantled Iran’s nuclear capabilities
In a public address on Monday, Khamenei asserted that Iran’s nuclear program remains fully operational and resilient, accusing Trump of spreading falsehoods about the Islamic Republic’s scientific advancements.
“Those who claim they have destroyed our nuclear progress are living in a fantasy,” Khamenei said, without directly naming Trump but clearly referencing his recent statements.
The Supreme Leader emphasized that Iran’s nuclear activities, which the country maintains are for peaceful purposes, continue to advance despite international sanctions and past U.S. policies aimed at curbing them.
Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his presidency, has repeatedly claimed that his “maximum pressure” campaign severely weakened Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The JCPOA, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since the U.S. exit in 2018, Iran has scaled back its commitments to the deal, increasing uranium enrichment levels and expanding its nuclear infrastructure, according to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Khamenei’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive the JCPOA.
The Biden administration has engaged in indirect talks with Iran to restore the agreement, but progress has been slow due to mutual distrust and differing demands.
Iran insists on the lifting of all U.S. sanctions, while Western powers seek assurances that Iran’s nuclear activities remain under strict oversight.
Analysts suggest Khamenei’s statement serves a dual purpose: rallying domestic support by showcasing Iran’s resilience and sending a message to the international community that the country will not bow to external pressure. “Iran’s leadership is keen to project strength, especially as negotiations over the nuclear deal remain uncertain,” said Dr. Reza Amiri, a Middle East policy expert at the Tehran Institute for Strategic Studies.
The U.S. State Department has not yet responded to Khamenei’s latest comments. However, U.S. officials have previously expressed concerns about Iran’s advancements in uranium enrichment, which could potentially shorten the “breakout time” needed to develop a nuclear weapon, should Iran choose to pursue one. Iran has consistently denied any intention of building nuclear weapons.
As global powers monitor the situation, the future of Iran’s nuclear program and its diplomatic relations with the West remain critical issues on the international stage.
With the U.S. presidential election approaching in 2026, the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations could shift depending on the outcome, further complicating efforts to resolve the nuclear impasse.
