Trump and Iran’s supreme leader trade threats as mediators try to save their crumbling deal
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and subsequent threats of retaliation. President Trump has warned of potential missile strikes while diplomatic efforts by mediators continue in an attempt to salvage the crumbling regional ceasefire.
Why it matters
The conflict threatens global oil supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz and risks a broader military confrontation in the Middle East.
U.S. and Iranian leaders traded threats on Saturday as the interim deal to end the war buckled under crossfire in the Middle East and efforts continued to keep talks going.
President Donald Trump overnight made threats on social media of further missile attacks against Iran, after the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saw open calls for the U.S. leader’s killing. Senior U.S. officials demanded that Iran make a public statement saying the Strait of Hormuz is open and ships won’t be attacked.
Later, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed that Iranians would continue to avenge his father’s death. Such revenge “is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out,” he said in remarks carried by state television. He still has not been seen publicly since the war began on Feb. 28 with strikes that killed his father .
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