Iran has branded Donald Trump's approach to global diplomacy “destructive and unlawful” in a scathing attack on the US President with nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington remaining deadlocked. The broadside came from Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who accused Mr Trump of sowing domestic chaos in the United States and fuelling international instability through his aggressive foreign policy.
He said: “Trump’s destructive and unlawful behaviour has disrupted America internally and created instability internationally.” He warned that Washington was speeding towards global isolation under Mr Trump’s leadership. The comments reflect growing anger in Tehran as diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear impasse falter.
Iran's frustration has intensified in recent weeks, as a fourth round of negotiations remains indefinitely postponed amid rising tensions and a new wave of US sanctions.
Mr Trump’s longstanding hardline stance on Iran has consistently undercut efforts at de-escalation. During his previous term in office, he pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear agreement – officially the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – and reimposed sweeping economic sanctions on Iran.
This move was seen by many as a deliberate attempt to dismantle one of the key multilateral deals of the Obama administration and signalled a shift towards a more confrontational approach.
His threat this week, posted on social media, echoed that same uncompromising tone. Mr Trump warned that “any country or person” purchasing oil or petrochemicals from Iran would face immediate US sanctions and would be barred from doing business with the United States “in any way, shape, or form.” The warning was widely interpreted as a shot at China, Iran’s largest oil customer.
At the same time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ramped up the pressure, demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment, abandon its missile programme, and allow full access for international inspectors. He said: “There’s no reason for enrichment unless you want a weapon.”
He added: “They have to walk away from sponsoring terrorists, they have to walk away from helping the Houthis (in Yemen), they have to walk away from building long-range missiles that have no purpose to exist other than having nuclear weapons.”
The language from both Washington and Tehran points to a deepening stalemate, with little sign that either side is willing to compromise.
Iran’s leadership has made it clear that no further progress is likely unless there is a fundamental shift in the US position – something which appears increasingly unlikely as Mr Trump doubles down on his uncompromising rhetoric.
Major General Safavi also claimed Mr Trump’s actions had alienated US allies and undermined international cooperation, reported Newsweek.
He said: “His confrontational approach has caused tensions with many countries and undermined global order."
Economists have warned that prolonged sanctions are pushing Iran further into economic crisis. Some have argued that Mr Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy risks fuelling broader instability in the Middle East.
Others suggest that continued escalation could harm US standing globally while boosting China and Russia’s influence in the region.
