WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed that he spared Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a conflict, but never received any gratitude in return.

In a statement, Trump criticized Khamenei for foolishly declaring victory in the war, questioning how the Iranian leader could claim triumph over Israel. “He knows it’s a lie,” Trump said. “It’s not appropriate for an honest man to lie.”

Trump further asserted that he knew the exact location where Ayatollah Khamenei was hiding and deliberately prevented both American and Israeli forces from targeting him.

“I saved the Iranian Supreme Leader—and he didn’t even thank me,” Trump remarked.

The US president said that Iran would have to return to the global system otherwise the situation would be worse for him.  In recent days, “I was working on lifting sanctions and addressing other matters. My actions could have given Iran a better chance at stable recovery. However, the angry, hateful, and bitter statement immediately brought those efforts to a halt”.