President Donald Trump fired back Friday at Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissing the regime’s claims of victory following a U.S.-Israel military offensive that crippled Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“Look, you’re a man of great faith, a man who is highly respected in his country, you have to tell the truth,” Trump said. “You got beat to hell.”
Trump’s comments came in response to Khamenei’s Thursday address in which the Iranian leader congratulated his country on what he described as a “victory over the U.S. regime.” Trump wasn’t having it — and warned that if Iran attempts to resume high-level uranium enrichment, “we’ll absolutely hit them again.”
Trump responds to Ayatollah Khameini claiming victory over the United States:
“You have to tell the truth, you got beat to hell.” pic.twitter.com/kJSdYUfNY4
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) June 27, 2025
The Ayatollah’s spin followed a devastating 12-day joint campaign by the U.S. and Israel, capped off by precision American strikes on key nuclear sites using Tomahawk missiles and massive 30,000-pound bunker busters dropped by B-2 bombers. One of the most heavily fortified targets, the Fordo nuclear site, was reportedly hit directly.
Iran’s own retaliation — a missile barrage targeting Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar — largely fizzled. Eighteen of the 19 missiles were intercepted. The lone missile that landed caused no casualties and only minor damage. Trump revealed that Iran warned the U.S. in advance, allowing personnel to seek shelter — a move many analysts viewed as a face-saving gesture from Tehran rather than a serious escalation.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured,” Trump posted earlier this week on Truth Social.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that “Operation Rising Lion” neutralized Iran’s top nuclear facilities and eliminated multiple high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists. Targets included enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz, the Isfahan conversion plant, and the Arak heavy water reactor.
Despite Khamenei’s public bravado, Trump and Netanyahu both declared the joint campaign a decisive success — and a warning to Iran not to test American resolve again.