Fact Check: Trump threatens to drop sanctions relief after Khamenei's victory declaration
What We Know
On June 27, 2025, President Donald Trump publicly expressed his outrage over Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's declaration of victory following a conflict involving the U.S. and Israel. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that he had saved Khamenei from a "very ugly and ignominious death" during the conflict and indicated that he would halt all discussions regarding sanctions relief for Iran due to Khamenei's perceived ingratitude (Washington Examiner, Axios). Trump stated, "I immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more," in response to Khamenei's remarks, which he interpreted as hostile and disrespectful (Axios, Washington Examiner).
Analysis
The claim that Trump threatened to drop sanctions relief following Khamenei's victory declaration is substantiated by multiple sources. Trump's statements are consistent across reports, where he explicitly mentions halting sanctions relief in response to Khamenei's comments. The Axios report confirms that Trump suspended potential sanctions relief after Khamenei's speech, which he viewed as a direct affront to U.S. efforts.
Moreover, the Washington Examiner provides a detailed account of Trump's remarks, reinforcing the narrative that he felt personally slighted and responded by ceasing discussions on sanctions. The language used by Trump, describing Khamenei's victory declaration as "anger, hatred, and disgust," indicates a strong emotional reaction that led to his decision to withdraw from sanctions relief negotiations.
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as both Axios and the Washington Examiner are established news outlets known for their political reporting. However, it is important to note that while they report on Trump's statements accurately, they may also reflect a certain editorial stance that could influence the framing of the narrative.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump threatened to drop sanctions relief after Khamenei's victory declaration is True. Trump's own statements confirm that he felt insulted by Khamenei's remarks and subsequently decided to halt any discussions regarding easing sanctions on Iran. The evidence from multiple reputable sources supports this conclusion.
Sources
- Trump says he saved Khamenei from 'very ugly' death - Washington Examiner
- Trump suspends possible Iran sanctions relief after Khamenei speech - Axios
- Trump slams Khamenei for victory speech, says he saved him from 'ugly death' - Khaleej Times
- Trump Drops Sanctions Relief for Iran Following 'Angry, Hostile, and Unhappy Khamenei Address' - Free Beacon
