TEHRAN (Realist English). Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a sharp rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, condemning remarks made during Trump’s ongoing tour of Gulf nations. Speaking at a gathering of teachers and educators in the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah, Khamenei said Trump’s statements were “not even worth responding to” and represented a “source of shame for the speaker and a disgrace to the American people.”
“Trump claims he seeks peace through power. That is a lie. He, along with other U.S. officials and administrations, has used power to massacre civilians in Gaza, ignite wars wherever possible, and support mercenaries across the region,” Khamenei stated.
According to the Supreme Leader, Washington recently transferred “10-ton bombs” to the Israeli regime, used to bomb children, hospitals, and homes in Gaza, as well as targets in Lebanon and beyond. By contrast, he emphasized, Iran continues to grow stronger every day in the name of peace and security:
“The Islamic Republic — despite the will of its enemies — will grow stronger by the day.”
Responding to Trump’s claim that regional states wouldn’t last ten days without U.S. support, Khamenei replied:
“He’s once again trying to sell a failed model. Thanks to the will of the region’s peoples, the U.S. must leave — and it will.”
Khamenei reserved his harshest language for Israel, calling it “a source of corruption, war, and division,” and declared:
“The Zionist regime is a lethal malignant tumor. It must — and it will — be eradicated.”
He contrasted today’s Iran with its past, portraying the country as a rising power on a clear ideological and developmental path:
“Today’s Iran is incomparable to what it once was. With God’s help — and despite the enemies’ wishes — we have progressed and will continue to move forward even faster. Our youth will witness it.”
Educational reform and moral revival
Turning to domestic policy, Khamenei prioritized reform of Iran’s educational system, including curriculum design, spiritual and moral development, and equitable access to learning. He called for the involvement of experienced, religiously committed experts to ensure education reflects the nation’s values and independence.
“Our textbooks must be rich in content and appealing in style. Even complex topics must be presented clearly and engagingly. We want our children to grow into knowledgeable, faithful, hardworking, and hopeful individuals.”
He also endorsed the reinstatement of the Department for Moral and Spiritual Development, emphasizing that its work must be “deep, effective, and enduring.”
Khamenei’s message reflects Iran’s dual narrative of resistance and resurgence. While condemning U.S. intervention and Israeli aggression in harsh terms, the Supreme Leader positions Iran as a moral and geopolitical counterweight to Western influence. The pledge to accelerate national development — alongside spiritual reform — signals that Tehran is preparing for a long-term confrontation in both regional politics and cultural domains.