President Donald Trump has abruptly abandoned plans to ease economic sanctions on Iran, intensifying pressure on the Islamic Republic. This decision follows a provocative statement from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who claimed victory in the recent 12-day war with Israel.
In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump revealed he was considering sanctions relief to aid Iran’s recovery. However, Khamenei’s remarks, which he described as filled with “anger, hatred, and disgust,” prompted an immediate reversal of this approach.
“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 – The sanctions are BITING!” Trump stated. He emphasized that Iran must rejoin the “World Order flow” or face worsening consequences.
Trump’s shift comes amid stalled efforts to resume nuclear talks with Iran, a key diplomatic goal for his administration. Despite earlier hints at allowing China to purchase Iranian oil, White House officials clarified this did not signal an easing of U.S. restrictions.
The brief but intense Iran-Israel conflict disrupted diplomatic efforts to address Tehran’s nuclear program. Israel’s targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, supported by U.S. attacks on three atomic facilities, have raised questions about the status of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.
Trump claimed the U.S. strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites, though doubts persist about their effectiveness. Iran has denied reports of scheduled nuclear talks, further complicating diplomatic prospects.
Khamenei’s pre-recorded video message on Thursday celebrated Iran’s “victory” and described the conflict as a “harsh slap” to the U.S. His comments, the first since the ceasefire, have tested the fragile truce established earlier this week.
Despite early violations, the ceasefire between Iran and Israel has largely held, offering a tentative pause in hostilities. However, Trump’s decision to maintain stringent sanctions signals a return to a hardline stance against Tehran.
The president urged Iran’s leadership to adopt a more conciliatory approach, suggesting diplomacy could yield better results. “I wish the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with HONEY than you do with VINEGAR,” he wrote.
