While the Iranian government has warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un not to trust U.S. President Donald Trump, many ordinary Iranians on social media had words of praise for the two leaders.
After June 12’s historic meeting between Trump and Kim in Singapore on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, Iranian government spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht noted the fate of his country’s nuclear deal (JCPOA) and suggested Trump could pull out of the deal with North Korea before returning home.
The sentiment was reflected by Iranian State TV anchor Elmira Sharifi, who tweeted, “How did Kim Jong Un agree to nuclear disarmament?! How could he trust Trump? This president withdraws his signature all the time. Less than two hours after the G7 summit he took his signature [from the final communique] back. He also left the JCPOA and the Paris accord. Trump has guaranteed the security of North Korea! Don’t get fooled Un!”
However, many Iranians on social media hailed Kim’s decision to meet with Trump and his announcement on giving up North Korea’s nuclear program.
In response to questions asked by the Iranian TV anchor, a user wrote, “Because he is smart and understands that he cannot fill the empty belly of his people with uranium and nuclear bombs.”
Another user commented, “My condolences to the lying state Radio and TV organization and its stooges at the occasion of the historic meeting between Kim and Trump. Kim realized that he needs to stop threatening other countries for the sake of his people, but the Iranian leader has not.”
Criticism of the regime and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for not following North Korea’s example in giving up its nuclear program was echoed across Twitter.
“Iran negotiated [on the nuclear deal] for 12 years with the world and Trump left it in 12 minutes. North Korea, by only few hours talk, reached an agreement with the U.S that will allow it to become a military and economic power in few years,” wrote a user named Omid, adding that Iranian leaders lack the “brains and guts” to make a similar decision as Kim.
Using the hashtags #IranRegimeChange and #TrumpKimSummit, a user named Bahar wrote, “After the agreement between Trump and Kim, the Islamic Republic holds the record of most evil and hated dictatorship in the world. Congratulations, Mr. Islamic Republic.”
Referring to the economic problems that resulted from nuclear sanctions, another user wrote, “One dollar is equal to 80,000 rials. Inflation has reached 79%. Factories are bankrupt. Workers and teachers are underpaid. Farmers do not have water. 40 years of freeloading [by mullahs] using religion, ignorance, and superstition. Industry and trade at rock bottom. The leaders of Islamic Republic call Trump ‘stupid.’ Be angry at the agreement between U.S. and North Korea and collapse from this anger.”
Other Iranians used humor and sarcasm to express their opinions on the Kim-Trump summit.
Next to a photoshopped picture of the North Korean leader showing his face replaced with the face of Iranian Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri, Amir wrote, “I wish we had also a ‘Jong Jangir’ that we could send to [the] U.S. for negotiations.”