Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned remarks made by United States President Donald Trump on Monday at the Israeli Knesset, calling them “irresponsible and shameful” and accusing Washington of moral hypocrisy and complicity in Israeli crimes.

In a statement, the ministry described the US as the world’s "largest sponsor of terrorism" and the primary backer of the “terrorist and genocidal Israeli regime,” stressing that Washington has no moral standing to accuse Iran of wrongdoing.

“The people of Iran, while paying deep respect to the immortal hero of Iran and the region, Martyr Hajj Qassem Soleimani — who played an unparalleled role in confronting the US-produced ISIS terrorism — will neither forgive nor forget the brutal American crime in the assassination of that great man and his companions,” the statement emphasized.

Nuclear program mischaracterizations rejected

The ministry dismissed repeated US claims regarding Iran’s nuclear program, labeling them as false and unjustified, and stressed that such allegations cannot serve to legitimize the joint crimes of the US and "Israel" against Iranian territory and civilians.

Iran highlighted Washington’s direct and indirect involvement in Israeli genocidal crimes in Palestine, including support for military operations against civilians and obstruction of international accountability mechanisms at the United Nations Security Council.

“America’s interventionist policies in the region, its support for occupation and the crimes of the genocidal Israeli regime, together with unlimited arms sales to the region, have made the United States the foremost source of instability and insecurity in the region,” the ministry noted.

“The United States’ complicity and active participation in the genocide and warmongering of the Zionist regime in occupied Palestine are evident to all, and the United States must be held accountable for its role in enabling impunity,” the statement said.

Read more: Tehran warns world to be wary of repeated Israeli ceasefire breaches

Trump's peace claims contradicted by actions

The ministry criticized Trump’s claims of seeking peace and dialogue, contrasting them with Washington’s record of attacks on residential areas, nuclear facilities, and civilians, which have resulted in the deaths of over a thousand people, including women and children.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the nation’s dedication to independence, dignity, and supreme national interests, asserting that Iranians, rooted in their cultural and historical heritage, are committed to reason, dialogue, and engagement, while remaining prepared to defend the country with courage and resolve.

“Iranians, relying on their rich cultural and historical heritage, are people of reason, dialogue and engagement, and at the same time will act with courage and resolve to defend Iran’s independence, national dignity and supreme interests,” the statement concluded.

Read more: Iran rejects talks at Sharm El-Sheikh, backs Gaza ceasefire efforts

Trump extends tainted, tried hand of diplomacy

Trump’s address at the Knesset was framed as a concerted effort to delegitimize Iran’s leadership while portraying the country as weakened and defeated. He emphasized that US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this year had dismantled the country’s nuclear program and praised "Israel" for assassinating Iran’s top military leaders and nuclear scientists, presenting these actions as proof of Tehran’s vulnerability.

He linked these attacks to regional diplomacy, asserting that without them, the recent Gaza deal could not have been achieved. By framing the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program as a prerequisite for Arab states to normalize ties with "Israel", Trump sought to signal that Iran’s cooperation—or subjugation—was necessary for broader regional “peace".

“We don’t have a Gaza and we don’t have an Iran as an excuse,” Trump said.

“That was a good excuse, but we don’t have that anymore. All the momentum now is toward a great, glorious, and lasting peace,” he added.

Inciting domestic discontent?

However, when Iran pursued principled negotiations with the Trump administration earlier this year, Washington and Tel Aviv launched coordinated aggression against the country. The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure, industrial facilities, power installations, and the nuclear program, deliberately killing numerous civilians.

At the time, the US had made public promises of engagement, yet as negotiations progressed, Trump opted for military action. Analysts argue that the administration is now counting on Iran’s principled stance to support its allies and the Palestinian people, while attempting to portray Tehran’s government as rigid and economically obstructive, potentially to incite domestic discontent.

“We are ready when you are, and it will be the best decision that Iran has ever made, and it's going to happen,” he stated.

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