On June 27, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he had abandoned plans to ease sanctions on Iran, citing inflammatory remarks by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Khamenei claimed Iran “slapped America in the face” with retaliatory strikes on a U.S. base in Qatar. Consequently, Trump warned of further bombing if Iran continues enriching uranium to dangerous levels, escalating tensions despite a recent ceasefire.
Khamenei’s televised speech, his first since the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict ended on June 24, dismissed U.S. claims of severe damage to Iran’s nuclear sites, per Reuters. He vowed Iran would never surrender, prompting Trump to abandon sanctions relief efforts aimed at aiding Iran’s recovery.
US President Donald Trump said he considered easing sanctions on Iran after a ceasefire but would instead keep economic penalties on the country in place https://t.co/xLtfVgVACd
— Bloomberg (@business) June 27, 2025Trump, posting on Truth Social, claimed he spared Khamenei’s life by rejecting an Israeli assassination plan, asserting the nuclear sites were “obliterated,”. However, a leaked U.S. intelligence report suggests only a months-long setback.
Trump endorsed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of the struck sites, including Fordo and Natanz, to verify damage. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi prioritised restoring inspections, halted since Israel’s June 13 attacks, per The Washington Post.
Iran’s parliament has suspended cooperation with the IAEA, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated a potential rejection of inspection requests. This standoff complicates efforts to evaluate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, despite Trump’s assertion that Iran no longer seeks a weapon.
Read: Iran Rejects Nuclear Talks with U.S. After Airstrikes, Disputes Damage Claims
Trump’s decision follows his “maximum pressure” campaign, reimposed in February 2025 to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He claimed Iran’s exhaustion following the strikes makes it open to talks, although no meetings are scheduled. The U.S. used B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles, targeting three nuclear facilities, but Iran’s retaliation signals ongoing defiance.
