Trump Drops Iran Sanctions Relief, Warns of Possible New Strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that he may authorize further military strikes if Tehran continues enriching uranium at concerning levels, following recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Trump revealed he blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stating he saved him from a "very ugly and ignominious death". Iran’s Supreme Leader responded by saying Iran had "slapped America in the face" with an attack on a U.S. base in Qatar and vowed that Iran would never surrender. Trump has abandoned efforts to lift sanctions on Iran after Tehran’s hostile statements and insisted that future nuclear negotiations depend on the U.S. ending its "disrespectful tone" toward Khamenei, a position echoed by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Trump did not rule out additional airstrikes and called for international inspectors to verify damage at Iran’s nuclear sites, though Iran may reject future inspection requests. The escalating rhetoric and stalled diplomacy contribute to ongoing global concerns about renewed conflict in the Middle East.