Worthy Christian News > World News > Khamenei Slams Trump Amid Nuclear Talks, Declares Iran Will Boost Military Power Regardless of U.S. Stance

Khamenei Slams Trump Amid Nuclear Talks, Declares Iran Will Boost Military Power Regardless of U.S. Stance

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched a blistering attack against U.S. President Donald Trump during a televised address in Tehran, denouncing the American leader as a liar and warmonger, while supporters chanted “death to America,” “death to England,” and “death to Israel.”

The speech, captured and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), came as the Trump administration continues negotiations aimed at forging a new nuclear deal with Iran. Khamenei dismissed Trump’s claims that U.S. power is being used to bring peace to the Middle East, accusing the U.S. of using its influence to ignite wars and support proxies across the region.

“Some of the things the U.S. president said in his recent visit to the region are not even worthy of a response,” Khamenei stated. “Trump said that he wanted to use power for peace. He is lying.” He added, “[Trump] and other senior officials in the American administration have used power to perpetrate a massacre in Gaza, to stir up war wherever they could, and in order to support their mercenaries.”

As Khamenei spoke, the crowd erupted in repeated chants: “Allah Akbar! Khamenei is the Leader! Death to those who oppose the Rule of the Jurisprudent! Death to America! Death to England! Death to the hypocrites and infidels! Death to Israel!”

Amid the fiery rhetoric, the Iranian leader made clear that Iran would continue to build its power in defiance of U.S. efforts to restrict its nuclear program. “We will increase our power and the power of our country every day, whether the enemies like it or not,” he declared.

Khamenei also reiterated his regime’s hostility toward Israel, referring to the Jewish state as “the lethal cancerous tumor of the region.” He declared, “It has to be uprooted, and it will be uprooted for certain,” prompting the crowd to shout, “Death to Israel!” in unison.

The comments follow President Trump’s recent Middle East tour, during which he announced deals totaling an estimated $2 trillion in trade and investment across the region. While Trump seeks a new accord with Iran to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon, his administration has taken a hard line on enrichment.

U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday on ABC’s This Week that, “We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability… because enrichment enables weaponization, and we will not allow a bomb to get here.”

As both sides dig in, the stark contrast between Trump’s diplomatic outreach and Khamenei’s militant declarations highlights the escalating tension—and raises the growing likelihood that Trump’s military option may be triggered, especially as the two-month ultimatum he issued to Iran to enter negotiations nears its deadline.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Trump Is Lying and His Statements Are Not Worth a Response; Israel Will Be Dismantled; Crowd Chants “Death to America” Multiple Times pic.twitter.com/STqgNBsSP5

— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) May 18, 2025