Who would ever doubt that a government, like the government of the U.S., is a manifestation of corruption and malignancy? What malignant action you know in the world that they have not committed yet? You have seen, during all these years, in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, in the sea or in the deserts—wherever the Americans felt they can have some benefits, and those benefits are achieved by killing some people— they did not hesitate. At the same time, they chant slogans in favor of human rights. Devils of the world have always been the same[...].
Which big crimes have not been committed by the U.S. rulers yet? How many sovereign governments have been overthrown by them? How many times has the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used conspiracies and plots to intrude into Africa, Latin America or the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia—where they thought it was necessary to topple an elected government with which they did not agree? There are many examples of such cases. The current U.S. President—George H.W. Bush, who used to run as the head of the Intelligence system of the U.S. — knows very well what this organization has done. He himself might have been involved in committing some of these crimes: exploitation of nations, attacking nations, disinformation, promoting corruption in the world, bamboozling the masses from various social classes even within the U.S. These are examples [as evidence] of the actions that the U.S. authorities and other cruel and ruthless powerful figures have done.
March 22, 1990
The Iranian nation is an independent nation: a dear one. The previous rulers of this nation – Qajar and Pahlavi kings – took dignity away from it. They humiliated the people and held the people back. They [Qajar and Pahlavi] made the nation submit to the imposition of other powers. They [the Americans and the British] got used to this position and want the same advantage over the Iranian people again. Now, Islam, the Islamic Republic, the Islamic government, and the Islamic Revolution has arrived: this has given back dignity to the people. The people have stood firm--the enemy cannot tolerate it: This is what the fight is about[...]
Therefore, what has happened – the inappropriate and absurd behaviour of the current US president – is not contrary to our expectations in any way. These are methods that they've used from the beginning. During the time of the former administration, they were doing similar via one approach, and, now, they are carrying them out in a different way. Before that too – during the time of Bush junior – they used to do these things differently as well. In every administration, they have shown their malice, enmity and viciousness against the Iranian nation, one way or another, and the people of Iran have stood up against all these administrations with complete power.
The bodies of several past presidents [of USA] have become worm food, and their bones have turned into dust, but the Islamic Republic has, thankfully, stood firm with complete power. The body of this man [Trump] will nourish worms and rodents, too, his bones will be dust, but the Islamic Republic will still be standing, stronger than ever: these statements cover my thoughts on the US.
Imam Khamenei, May 9, 2018