In another bizarre social media post, President says he halted Israeli strike on Tehran, claiming he “saved” Ayatollah Khamenei from “a very ugly and ignominious death”—but now, due to the Ayatollah’s ungrateful recorded video response, Trump has paused plans to remove sanctions. Some wonder if the Supreme Leader is even alive. Others wonder if the President is off his rocker, playing 5D chess, or playing God.

In a truth bomb posted June 27 on Truth Social, President Donald J. Trump claimed he personally stopped a major Israeli airstrike on Tehran, sparing the life of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He now says that instead of gratitude, he was met with “anger, hatred, and disgust”—and that as a result, all efforts to lift sanctions are over.

But some observers say Trump’s message carries more than personal bravado or foreign policy signaling. It may hint at a deeper mystery: Is Khamenei even alive? Or is Trump using him as a straw man for a regime that’s hiding a power vacuum at the top?

“I Saved Him”—Then Cut Him Off

In his June 27 post, President Trump recounted what he described as a decisive moment during the recent Israel–Iran war:

“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, AND HE DOES NOT HAVE TO SAY, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’”

Trump claimed that Israeli warplanes were en route to Tehran for a potential knockout strike on the regime’s leadership—an assault he halted personally.

“I demanded that Israel bring back a very large group of planes, which were heading directly to Tehran, looking for a big day, perhaps the final knockout!”

In typical Trump style, the post mixes sarcasm with strategic messaging. But this wasn’t mere rhetoric. There is strong public evidence that such a moment occurred.

Trump Ordered Israel to Stand Down—And They Did

Just three days prior, on June 24, President Trump publicly issued a command to Israel via Truth Social:

“ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”

The order followed reports that Israel, in response to Iranian aggression, had launched retaliatory strikes in violation of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

According to Reuters, Axios, and CBS News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a direct call from Trump. Within hours, Israeli jets returned to base. The White House described it as a “friendly Plane Wave” directed toward Iran—an unmistakable signal of de-escalation.

Trump later confirmed:

“They didn’t have to unload. And I didn’t like the fact that the retaliation was very strong.”

This proves that Trump not only had visibility into IDF operations—he had the clout to halt them in real time. His claim of saving Khamenei is, therefore, rooted in a documented act of restraint.

Sanctions Relief Revoked: “No More Help”

Trump’s post also revealed he was actively considering lifting sanctions on Iran—offering the regime a pathway to recovery.

“I was working on the possible removal of sanctions so that Iran could become a great and prosperous nation… But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust.”

His conclusion?

“I immediately dropped all work on helping them. The sanctions are BITING!”

This is classic Trump doctrine: deal-making with muscle. If you don’t show goodwill, the deal is off. And in this case, the deal wasn’t just off—it was personal.

Is Khamenei Even Alive?

While the headlines focused on Trump’s tone, many intelligence analysts and Middle East watchers noted something curious: Khamenei has not appeared live in public during or since the peak of hostilities. Recent footage has been highly edited, delayed, or potentially pre-recorded. Iran is no stranger to withholding news of a leader’s death for the sake of internal stability—especially during conflict.

Trump’s reference to “saving” Khamenei from a fatal strike may serve multiple functions:

1. As a taunt — daring Iran to prove that Khamenei is still alive.
2. As a psyop — signaling to the Iranian public or rival factions that their Supreme Leader may already be gone.
3. As a strategic leak — hinting to Western allies and adversaries alike that U.S. intelligence is aware of a concealed leadership crisis.

If the Ayatollah has died or is incapacitated, Trump’s post becomes a chilling public obituary in disguise.

Even if Khamenei is still alive, the post cleverly uses him as a stand-in for the entire regime—shifting all accountability and hostility onto a single, symbolic figure. That’s a classic straw man move: personalize the enemy, then delegitimize him.

The Threat Beneath the Proverb

Trump ended his post with a sardonic warning:

“You often get more with HONEY than you do with VINEGAR. PEACE!!!”

Far from being conciliatory, the line functions as a closing threat. Iran, he says, chose vinegar. The sweetness of relief is off the table. And next time, there may be no “pull back.”

This is the same psychological technique Trump used with Kim Jong Un: I could have wiped you out. I didn’t. Don’t test me again.

Implications for Iran and the Region

Trump’s post sends a multi-layered signal:

• To Iran’s leadership: We know where you are—or were.
• To the Iranian people: Your leadership survived not through strength, but because Trump allowed it.
• To Israel: America’s commitment is absolute, but under Trump’s control.
• To U.S. allies: Trump remains capable of holding the Middle East back from the brink—and equally capable of unleashing hell.

If Khamenei is truly dead or dying, the post becomes prophetic. If he’s alive, it remains a warning that his survival depends on restraint—both his and Trump’s.

A Different Doctrine

This moment distinguishes Trump from his predecessors and his successor. Biden’s team pushed for a ceasefire that quickly broke down. Trump enforced one—and when violated, stopped a retaliatory strike mid-air.

He did it publicly.
He did it decisively.
And now he’s done negotiating.

In a single 250-word post, President Trump recast the endgame of the Iran conflict. He claimed authorship of restraint, exposed a moral failure on Iran’s part, and left the door open to a future decision—one that next time may not include mercy.