Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei mocks President Trump’s assertions of U.S. military superiority, warning that the world’s strongest army could be “slapped so hard it cannot get up.” These remarks coincide with high-level talks in Geneva between U.S. and Iranian mediators focused on Iran’s nuclear program and regional tensions.
Khamenei’s Direct Warnings
Khamenei delivered the taunt in recent statements, saying, “The U.S. President says their army is the world’s strongest, but the strongest army in the world can sometimes be slapped so hard it cannot get up.”
His office amplified the message on his English-language X account, addressing U.S. naval deployments: “The Americans constantly say that they’ve sent a warship toward Iran. Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.”
Iranian Military Drills Escalate Tensions
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launches exercises in key waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman, amid growing U.S. naval presence in the region.
Trump’s Stance on Potential Action
President Trump leaves open the possibility of military force against Iran, building up forces similar to preparations near Venezuela prior to the January 3 operation that captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Responding to questions on regime change, Trump stated, “It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.” On striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, he added, “If we do it, that would be the least of the mission.”
