Fact Check: Trump Halted Sanctions Relief After Khamenei's Defiant Video Message
What We Know
On June 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that he had suspended plans to ease sanctions on Iran following a defiant video message from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In his message, Khamenei claimed that Iran had prevailed in its conflict against Israel and the United States, stating that U.S. airstrikes had "no major effect" on Iran's nuclear program and that Iran had dealt the U.S. a "slap in the face" (Axios). In response, Trump expressed his discontent on Truth Social, stating that he had been working on possible sanctions relief but immediately halted those efforts after Khamenei's remarks of "anger, hatred, and disgust" (New York Times).
Trump's comments were made during a news conference where he emphasized that Iran must cooperate and rejoin the global order or face further threats. He had previously indicated a willingness to negotiate with Iran, suggesting that easing sanctions could be part of a broader agreement (Axios).
Analysis
The claim that Trump halted sanctions relief after Khamenei's video message is supported by multiple credible sources. Trump's own statements on Truth Social and during the news conference confirm that he was in the process of considering sanctions relief but decided to stop after Khamenei's defiant speech (New York Times; Axios).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of covering U.S. foreign policy and the Trump administration. The New York Times and Axios have both reported extensively on U.S.-Iran relations and have a reputation for fact-checking and journalistic integrity.
Khamenei's statements, which prompted Trump's reaction, were also widely reported and analyzed, indicating a significant moment in U.S.-Iran relations. The context of Khamenei's remarks, which included a declaration of victory and a dismissal of U.S. military actions, further justifies Trump's decision to halt negotiations (Axios).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump halted sanctions relief after Khamenei's defiant video message is True. Trump's own statements confirm that he was considering easing sanctions but decided against it in response to Khamenei's aggressive rhetoric. The evidence from reliable news sources supports this conclusion, reflecting the dynamics of U.S.-Iran negotiations during this period.
