Iran’s Khamenei Rejects U.S. Talks, Warns of Retaliation Against Washington
As President Trump Pushes for a Verified Nuclear Deal, Iran Condemns U.S. Sanctions and Reaffirms Its Stance Against Negotiations.
Watan-Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, said today, Friday, that experience has proven that holding talks with the United States is a step that is “neither smart, wise, nor honorable.” This statement came following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks that he prefers to reach a verifiable nuclear peace agreement with Iran.
During a meeting with leaders of the Air Force in the Iranian army, Khamenei added that negotiations with the United States would not solve the country’s problems. He continued, saying, “The issue must be understood correctly: one should not claim that if we sit at the negotiation table with this (American) government, the problems will be solved,” affirming that “no problem will be solved through negotiations with America.” Khamenei also threatened Washington, stating, “If America threatens our security, we will threaten its security.”
President Donald Trump had stated on Wednesday that Iran “cannot possess nuclear weapons.” He added, “I want Iran to be a great and successful country, but I also want it to be a country that cannot possess nuclear weapons,” emphasizing, “I prefer a peaceful nuclear agreement with Iran, subject to inspection, that allows Iran to grow and prosper peacefully.”
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that his country does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons. Speaking during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran, Pezeshkian stated, “We are not seeking to obtain nuclear weapons,” considering that “verifying this matter is an easy task.”
Iran Condemns U.S. Sanctions: “Unjustified”
Meanwhile, Iran condemned the new “illegal” and “unjustified” financial sanctions imposed by the United States on entities accused of selling Iranian oil to China. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said in a statement that “the new U.S. government’s decision to pressure the Iranian nation by preventing Iran from conducting legitimate business with its economic partners is an illegal and unlawful measure.” Baghaei added that the move was “unjustified and contrary to international regulations.”
The United States announced on Thursday the imposition of financial sanctions—the first since President Donald Trump took office—targeting an “international network” accused of transferring Iranian oil to China to fund Tehran’s military activities. In a statement, the U.S. Treasury Department said the sanctions target “an international network that facilitates the transfer of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, to China.” The department noted that the sanctions target individuals and companies in countries including China, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
This move came after Trump vowed to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero. Last Tuesday, Trump signed a presidential memorandum reinstating the maximum pressure policy on Iran, aiming to block Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and counter its destabilizing influence abroad, according to the White House.
During the signing of the memorandum, Trump described the decision as very strict against Iran but expressed hope that it would not have to be used extensively. He said, “I am signing this decision, and I am not happy about it, but I don’t have many choices because we have to be strong and firm.” Trump also stated that he was ready to negotiate with Iran’s leadership, saying, “We will see if we can arrange a deal with Iran so that everyone can live in peace.”
