Ayatollah Ali Khamenei aims at Donald Trump, US forces as Iran-US nuclear diplomacy continues
The second round of indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran is underway in Geneva, as both sides attempt to resolve tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
However, sharp remarks from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have added to the high-stakes atmosphere.
Ahead of the talks, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism that Iran was interested in an agreement.
In contrast, Khamenei, in a series of posts on X, criticised Trump, questioned US military dominance, and warned about Washington’s growing naval presence near Iran.
He stated: “The US President has said that for 47 years, the United States hasn’t been able to eliminate the Islamic Republic… You, too, will not be able to do this.”
The US President has said that for 47 years, the United States hasn't been able to eliminate the Islamic Republic. That is a good confession. I say, " You, too, will not be able to do this."
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 17, 2026
Khamenei further warned that even the US’s strongest military could be struck hard, and that Iranian capabilities could neutralize threats such as deployed warships.
The US President keeps saying that they have the strongest military force in the world. The strongest military force in the world may at times be struck so hard that it cannot get up again.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 17, 2026
The Geneva talks are mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.
The US delegation includes Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with Trump remaining indirectly involved.
Iran is represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who emphasised on X that Tehran seeks a “fair and equitable deal” and will not submit to threats.
The heightened diplomatic effort coincides with a US military build-up, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R Ford, near Iran.
Iran has responded with maritime drills by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while reaching an agreement will be difficult, it is not impossible. “I think that there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement ... but it’s going to be hard,” he noted.
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