U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed his decision to ease sanctions on Iran, citing inflammatory remarks from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the catalyst. Trump had previously considered sanction relief after a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, but Khamenei’s claim of victory over the U.S. and Israel during a recent address caused a sharp shift in Washington's approach.

"I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery," Trump stated on his Truth Social platform. "But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief," Trump added.

A Call for Diplomacy, Not Aggression

Trump's comments reflected frustration with Iran’s leadership, urging them to adopt a more cooperative stance. "Iran has to get back into the World Order flow, or things will only get worse for them," he said. He emphasized that diplomacy through engagement and "honey" would yield better results than aggression ("vinegar").

Despite these remarks, it remains unclear whether the Trump administration had already taken concrete steps toward easing legal curbs on Iran. Earlier, Trump had hinted that Iran could continue selling oil to China under U.S. oversight, but White House officials quickly clarified that this did not equate to the easing of sanctions.

U.S. and Iran Expected to Resume Talks

Trump suggested that the U.S. and Iran would hold talks next week and “may” sign an agreement. However, Iranian officials have denied any scheduled resumption of discussions, casting doubt on the potential for immediate diplomatic breakthroughs. Despite these challenges, Trump remains open to further dialogue, emphasizing that negotiations could still lead to a more stable and positive outcome for both nations.

The War and Its Diplomatic Fallout

The ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which followed 12 days of intense conflict, has not halted the diplomatic complexities surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. The war saw Israel targeting Iranian military and nuclear installations, while the U.S. responded with strikes on three atomic sites. Trump claimed that these U.S. attacks had “obliterated” critical Iranian sites, but questions linger about the attack’s effectiveness and the future of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Khamenei’s recent statement, marking Iran’s supposed "victory" over the U.S. and Israel, further complicates the prospects for future negotiations. This rhetoric follows a deadly conflict that has shifted the balance of power in the region, with both Israel and Iran grappling for influence.