Khamenei referenced past rulers, including Pharaoh, Nimrod, and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, saying they fell at the height of their arrogance and hubris.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on Friday, slammed United States President Donald Trump over his “tyrannical” leadership, warning that, like historical despots, he too could face downfall.
Khamenei referenced past rulers, including Pharaoh, Nimrod, and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, saying they fell at the height of their arrogance and hubris.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Khamenei criticised what he described as the US president’s habit of judging the entire world with arrogance.
He drew parallels between contemporary global leadership and historical figures known for tyranny.
“The US President who judges arrogantly about the whole world should know that tyrants and arrogant rulers of the world, such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Mohammad Reza [Pahlavi] and other such rulers saw their downfall when they were at the peak of their hubris. He too will fall,” Khamenei wrote.
The remarks come amid longstanding tensions between Iran and the United States, marked by diplomatic hostilities, sanctions, and sharp exchanges by senior officials of both countries.
Khamenei, Iran’s highest authority, has frequently criticised US foreign policy and leadership, often framing his comments within historical and ideological contexts.
In June 2025, Trump reportedly praised Israel’s military strike on Iran, describing the attack as “excellent” and warning that more assaults may follow.
This was revealed by ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent, Jonathan Karl, in an exclusive interview with Trump.
Karl said: “I just spoke to President Trump and asked him about the Israeli attack on Iran. Here’s what he told me:
"I think it's been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didn't take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come. a lot more.”
Trump's comments came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following a series of escalations between Iran and Israel in recent weeks.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had strongly condemned what it described as a “blatant act of aggression” by Israel, following military strikes on Iranian territory, including the capital Tehran.