Iranian leader reassuringly says 'death to America' chant is only about Trump, Bolton, and Pompeo

The 40-year-old "death to America" chant that Iranians have shouted since the 1979 Iranian Revolution should not be taken personally by U.S. citizens, says Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a speech to Iranian Air Force officers Friday, Khamenei explained that the phrase is directed at President Trump and other U.S. leaders rather than average citizens, reports Reuters.

"As long as America continues its wickedness, the Iranian nation will not abandon 'Death to America,'" Khomeini reportedly said. "'Death to America' means death to Trump, [National Security Adviser] John Bolton, and [Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo. It means death to American rulers."

Khamenei reportedly also said European leaders are included in his anger, saying Iran should not trust Western nations still involved in the Iran nuclear deal, per The Hill.

The U.S. has been in hot water with Iran since Trump's announcement of withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal last May. Since then, Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have expressed no desire to meet with each other, with Hassan labeling Trump as "untrustworthy."