Khamenei Attacks U.S. Officials: 'Inexperienced Thugs Who Don't Know What They're Doing'

Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, on Sunday, June 18, referred to the new U.S. administration as 'inexperienced thugs' who 'do not understand the Iranian nation' and do not know 'what they are doing' in relation to Iran. In a meeting with the families of those killed in Syria, Khamenei harshly criticized the officials of the new U.S. government, stating that Americans 'have not been able to do anything for nearly forty years' and will not be able to do so in the future. Khamenei, who typically uses labels such as 'malicious', 'vile', and 'ugly' to describe his enemies, has previously described U.S. officials in unexpected terms, including calling former Secretary of State Warren Christopher 'ill-formed'. In 2009, in response to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the region, he likened her to 'travelers', and recently referred to Saudi officials as 'fools'. However, Khamenei's tone regarding the new U.S. administration is unprecedented even compared to his previous statements. Although the remarks were initially published on his office's website, the more aggressive parts were omitted in the full text. He reminded that the Islamic Revolution and regime have 'faced severe enmities from the beginning' and commented on Donald Trump, the U.S. President, saying, 'Do not look at the bluster of this guy who just came to America; this is not new. This has been the case from the beginning; now their language and tone have changed.' Khamenei added that 'from the very first day, this bluster has been against the Islamic Republic until today. For nearly forty years, they have not been able to do anything. They could not uproot this sapling when it was a thin twig on the ground; now it has become a mighty tree; can they do it? They are mistaken.' The United States has repeatedly warned about Iran's behaviors, especially regarding 'support for terrorism' and 'destabilizing the region', although since Trump's rise to power, the emphasis on intolerance for such behaviors has increased. Recently, Mike Pence, the U.S. Vice President, warned Iran not to doubt Trump's seriousness and to realize that a new president is in the White House. Trump himself has emphasized that Iran 'does not understand how kind President Obama was to them; but I am not like that.' The Trump administration is currently summarizing its comprehensive policies regarding Iran; recently, Rex Tillerson, Trump's Secretary of State, reminded a meeting in Congress that U.S. policy supports elements within Iran that lead to a peaceful change of this government. These remarks provoked anger among Iranian officials; the Iranian Foreign Ministry described it as 'interventionist', and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called it 'delusional'. Khamenei also referred to these statements, saying, 'They say we want to change the Islamic Republic system. Well, who has not wanted to do this? You have always wanted to; you have always hit your heads against the stone; your noses have always been rubbed in the dirt, and this will continue.' He added, 'These people do not understand the Iranian nation. Those who have just come to power in America are like those who have just entered the world of thuggery. These inexperienced thugs, who stab wherever they go, do not understand what they are doing until it hits them in the mouth. When it hits them in the mouth, then they will understand what the account is and what the book is.' Khamenei emphasized that 'everyone should know, both the enemy and sincere friends, and even friends who sometimes tremble, that the Islamic Republic stands firmly, and know that they cannot slap us; we will slap them.' In recent years, under Khamenei's leadership, the Islamic Republic's insistence on pursuing certain regional and international policies, including its controversial nuclear program, has led to Iran's isolation in international circles. During nuclear negotiations, world powers have repeatedly expressed hope that Iran could play a responsible and constructive role in global relations by resolving the nuclear issue. However, human rights violations, Iran's missile program, and what is described as the Islamic Republic's 'destabilizing role' in the region continue to provoke criticism from the U.S. and its allies, especially in the Middle East, and the new Senate sanctions package against Iran has been prepared in response to such behaviors. However, the Iranian leader recently expressed the opinion that 'issues such as human rights, terrorism, and the claim of creating instability in the region are excuses for the U.S. against the Islamic regime', and if there is a retreat in front of enemies, 'a new demand will be raised', and these demands will not stop. In contrast, Hassan Rouhani recently stated that the people's vote in the elections was a vote for 'interaction with the world' and emphasized that peace with the enemy requires more courage than war. In this context, Rouhani criticized those who consider 'insulting as revolutionary'. Khamenei: 'Experience such as not trusting America should be used in managing the country.' Rouhani: 'Extending a hand of peace to enemies requires a lot of courage.' Khamenei: 'A challenge, if rational, is less costly than compromise.'