Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday responded sharply to US President Donald Trump's recent derogatory comments against Tehran, asserting that such remarks do not diminish the stature of the Iranian people and that Iran will respond through action and courage.
Araghchi's response on social media
In a post on X, Araghchi stated, "Addressing the Civilized and Courageous Nation of Iran with derogatory language does not diminish its Greatness. Iranians are known for their civility, culture, and strong moral values." He added, "We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valor."
Parliamentary warning to Gulf states
Meanwhile, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian parliament's national security commission, warned Gulf countries that have supported Washington in the Iran-US confrontation to be cautious about their energy infrastructure. "The Gulf states that have stood alongside Trump in the Iran-America regime conflict should watch over their oil and gas wells. In defense of the security of the great Iranian nation, we have no red lines," Rezaei said.
Reacting specifically to Trump's remarks about Kharg Island, Rezaei said, "Trump has once again spoken of occupying Kharg Island. Come on, we're waiting for you and we promise that not even a single American soldier will return alive."
Trump's statements at NATO Summit
The Iranian reactions came after Trump, speaking after the conclusion of the 2026 NATO Summit in Turkiye, said the ceasefire agreement with Iran was effectively "over" for him, though he did not expect fighting to resume. "I don't think it's going to start again. I think it's going to go very quickly. They hit a couple of ships, and so we hit them much harder. When they hit, we hit 10 times harder," Trump said.
Trump also said he was reconsidering diplomatic engagement with Tehran, stating, "I'm not sure I want to make a deal with them. We can play games, but I'm not sure I want to make a deal. Let's just finish the job." He accused Iran's leadership of acting irrationally and said any further military action would be short and aimed at improving regional security. "I think anything that happens is going to be over very quickly and will only make it safer, including for oil. Oil is going to be very free, very free, very easy, and it's going to happen very fast," Trump said.
Trump claims he is on Iran's kill list
Trump also claimed he was "number one" on Iran's kill list and said he was not concerned about threats against him. "But I don't really care because I'm doing my job, and I'm doing it, I hope, better than anybody's ever done it," Trump said.
Earlier, Trump had declared that he no longer wished to engage in diplomatic dealings with Tehran, saying, "To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore."
