Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran declared that negotiations with the U.S. under pressure are unacceptable, characterizing them as attempts to dominate rather than resolve differences. Former President Trump’s renewed maximum pressure campaign postures Iran as a strategic adversary, while the U.N. warns of nuclear escalations by Tehran.
During a meeting with senior Iranian officials, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that Iran would not engage in negotiations under the pressure from the United States. He noted that Washington’s offer aimed to impose its expectations on Iran, stating that negotiations were intended for domination rather than resolution of issues. Khamenei emphasized that for the U.S., talks are merely a means to create new demands beyond the nuclear issue and insisted that Iran would reject such impositions.
Former President Donald Trump, while expressing openness to a deal with Iran, has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at isolating Iran from the global economy and eliminating its oil exports. During his tenure from 2017 to 2021, he withdrew the United States from the pivotal nuclear agreement that limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following his withdrawal in 2018 and the reinstitution of sanctions, Iran has exceeded the previously established limits on its nuclear program.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has warned that time is running out for diplomatic efforts to impose new restrictions on Iran, as the country accelerates its uranium enrichment to levels nearing weapons-grade. Despite these escalations, Tehran maintains that its nuclear endeavors are strictly for peaceful purposes.
In summary, Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements underscore Iran’s refusal to negotiate under U.S. pressure, viewing such negotiations as a method for the U.S. to impose its will. As the U.S. pursues a maximum pressure strategy, Iran continues to advance its nuclear program, prompting urgent warnings from international watchdogs regarding potential consequences. The situation remains tense as diplomatic avenues appear increasingly limited.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
