Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched a blistering attack on former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of lying about promoting peace in the Middle East. The statement came during a Friday sermon in Tehran, where Khamenei condemned Trump’s recent visit to the region and his remarks on regional security, denouncing them as “deceptive and dangerous.”
Khamenei’s comments were a direct response to Trump’s Middle East tour, which included stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. During his trip, Trump reiterated his support for Israel, denounced Iran as a destabilizing force, and pushed for a “new era of peace and prosperity” in the region. Khamenei, however, dismissed these declarations as cynical ploys to inflame divisions and justify militarism.
“This man has brought nothing but chaos, bloodshed, and instability to our region,” Khamenei said, referring to Trump’s past policies, including the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and the imposition of harsh economic sanctions on Iran. “When he talks of peace, he is lying. His history and his actions speak louder than his hollow words.”
Khamenei’s remarks come at a time of rising regional tensions, with recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, drone activity over the Persian Gulf, and escalating rhetoric between Iran and its regional adversaries. Trump’s visit—ostensibly framed as a mission of economic and diplomatic engagement—has instead drawn criticism from multiple sides for inflaming divisions and legitimizing hardline regimes.
Iranian officials accused Trump of using his tour to reinforce an anti-Iran alliance, particularly by promoting deeper cooperation between Israel and Gulf Arab states. “He seeks to forge a coalition of aggressors,” Khamenei said. “This is not peace-building. It is warmongering cloaked in diplomacy.”
Khamenei also criticized Arab leaders who hosted Trump, accusing them of betraying Muslim unity and aligning themselves with foreign interests at the expense of Palestinian rights. “Those who shake hands with this liar should not expect the support of their people,” he warned. “They have chosen humiliation over honor.”
The Iranian leadership has long viewed Trump’s regional posture as antagonistic, particularly during his presidency, which saw the killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and an aggressive sanctions regime aimed at crippling Iran’s economy. Despite no longer holding office, Trump’s continued engagement in the region—and his strong support among Israeli and Gulf leaders—has remained a focal point of Tehran’s foreign policy criticism.
In parallel to Khamenei’s address, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement denouncing Trump’s statements during the tour as “a recycled narrative of deceit and imperial arrogance.” The ministry accused him of seeking to provoke sectarian conflict and consolidate Western influence over regional affairs under the guise of peacemaking.
Iran’s condemnation has been echoed by several political factions and media outlets within the country. Hardline newspaper Kayhan described Trump’s visit as “a circus of colonial theatrics,” while state broadcaster IRIB dedicated significant airtime to coverage of regional protests against Trump’s presence in the Gulf.
Tensions between Iran and the United States remain high despite the Biden administration’s efforts to re-engage Tehran through indirect nuclear talks. These efforts have largely stalled, and Trump’s re-emergence on the Middle East stage has further complicated Washington’s balancing act between supporting allies and reducing hostilities.
Regional analysts say Khamenei’s fiery rhetoric is also aimed at shoring up domestic support amid ongoing economic woes and political unrest. “This kind of message plays well with the Iranian base, especially when framed as defiance against Western hypocrisy and betrayal by Arab neighbors,” said Mohammad Marandi, a Tehran-based political analyst.
As Trump continues to position himself as a global figure influencing right-wing governments and regimes aligned with his vision, Iran’s leadership is making it clear that it views his re-entry into Middle Eastern diplomacy as a threat, not a gesture of reconciliation.
Khamenei concluded his remarks with a defiant pledge: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will not be bullied into submission. We will resist the lies, the pressure, and the plots—because truth and dignity are on our side.”
Source: The New Arab
