Iran's Supreme Leader Reacts to Trump-Zelensky Clash

By Amir Daftari

Iran's Supreme Leader has seized on the fallout from the clash between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to step up his warnings against negotiating with the United States.

In the wake of the Oval Office clash, Ali Khamenei reposted remarks condemning Ukraine's trust in the U.S. as a mistake, stating, "Western support for its allies is a mirage." Meanwhile, banners showing images of the heated Trump-Zelensky exchange have popped up across Tehran, amplifying Khamenei's long-standing opposition to diplomacy with Washington.

Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email.

Why It Matters

The fallout from the Oval Office meeting has sparked intense debate in Iran, where hardliners view the confrontation as vindication of Khamenei's warnings. Reformists, who have generally advocated engagement with Washington, have also expressed doubts about negotiations under the Trump administration.

The incident underscores a broader geopolitical shift as Iran evaluates its diplomatic strategy amid U.S. sanctions and ongoing regional tensions.

What to Know

Soon after the Trump-Zelensky clash, Khamenei revived his warning that Ukraine's reliance on the U.S. was a mistake. "The first lesson from the situation in Ukraine is that Western support for puppet governments is a mirage," read the statement, reposted in Ukrainian on X.

All governments must understand this. Those relying on the U.S. and Europe should look at Ukraine's current situation," the post added, citing his March 1, 2022 statement.

Last month, the Supreme Leader dismissed negotiations with Washington, calling them "neither wise, nor intelligent, nor honorable."

Banners in Tehran

Banners showcasing the heated Oval Office exchange have surfaced across Tehran, according to state media agencies. Emblazoned with phrases such as "End of the Mirage" and "Leaning on the Wind," the displays underscore Khamenei's warning about the perils of trusting the U.S.

Iranian hardliners have also been arguing that Trump's treatment of Zelensky proves that talks with the Trump administration would be a mistake.

Earlier this month, President Trump fully reinstated his administration's "maximum pressure" policy of economic sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke Tehran's ability to fund military operations by eliminating its crude oil exports.

Reconsidering Engagement

Last week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran was open to talks with Washington but would not bow to "bullies." He went on to stress that without the lifting of U.S. sanctions, there would be room for dialogue.

While some Iranian reformists have traditionally advocated for talks with the U.S., the Oval Office altercation has led to a reassessment. Former Vice President Mohammad-Ali Abtahi dismissed negotiations with Trump as futile, arguing that Trump's leadership made diplomacy ineffective.

What People Are Saying

Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, Iran's former vice president said on X: "Trump and the America of Trump are not parties we can negotiate with."

Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader: "The first lesson from the situation in Ukraine is that Western support for puppet governments is a mirage."

Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran: "They have intensified all the sanctions and now they are saying that let's talk to each other. First prove that you are open to dialogue and then we can talk to each other."

What Happens Next

The Trump-Zelensky fallout is likely to intensify Iran's internal debate over diplomatic engagement with the U.S. The long-term impact on Iran's foreign policy remains uncertain, but the episode has reinforced divisions over how Tehran should navigate its relationship with Washington and the Trump administration.