Ultra-hardline Kayhan says Trump blends smiles and threats to gain advantage

Iran’s ultra-hardline Kayhan newspaper, managed by a representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warned Saturday that Tehran should not be deceived by US President Donald Trump’s apparent diplomatic overtures, including his calls for negotiations or signs of retreat.

“Trump is not a temporary phenomenon but a mindset rooted in narcissism, delusions of superiority, and threat-based tactics,” Kayhan wrote in an editorial. “He seeks to keep the world in a constant state of fear and uncertainty.”

The editorial argued that Trump’s behavior—friendly or hostile—should be seen as tactical rather than sincere. “Do not be fooled by smiles, talk of negotiation, or gestures of retreat,” the paper said. “Both Trump’s friendship and enmity are tools of deception, not indicators of real boundaries.”

Kayhan also dismissed reports of a rift between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Iran, calling such narratives a “deception operation” meant to justify continued talks. “Trump’s posture is dangerous, but it reflects deeper US power structures—not just personal choices,” the paper added.