Ayatollah Khamenei condemned U.S. ‘bullying’ in nuclear negotiations, emphasizing Iran’s resistance to unrealistic conditions. Following Trump’s letter proposing talks, Khamenei asserts Iran’s peaceful nuclear intentions, contrasting them with alleged violations of the JCPOA by the U.S. Iran refuses negotiations under pressure and has ramped up uranium enrichment, while continuing diplomatic dialogue with European nations.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently condemned what he perceives as bullying tactics in negotiations regarding the country’s nuclear program. Following a letter from former President Donald Trump proposing new talks, Khamenei indicated that the U.S. aims for domination rather than resolution of issues. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that they had not yet received any correspondence from Trump as of Saturday, echoing skepticism about the sincerity of U.S. intentions.
Khamenei criticized the ‘bullying’ tactics from world powers, suggesting they are setting unrealistic expectations that he believes Iran cannot meet. He refrained from directly naming the United States or addressing Trump’s statements but emphasized the futility of negotiating under extreme pressure. The U.S. reintroduced sweeping sanctions against Iran after abandoning the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, which had previously limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
In recent months, Iran has engaged in diplomacy with the European signatories of the JCPOA—Britain, France, and Germany—aiming to resolve lingering issues regarding its nuclear ambitions. However, Khamenei lambasted these nations for claiming Iran has failed to comply with the agreement while questioning their own adherence: “You say that Iran has not fulfilled its commitments under the JCPOA. Okay, have you fulfilled your commitments under the JCPOA?”.
The Iranian leadership has significantly increased uranium enrichment beyond JCPOA limits, leading U.S. officials to assert that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks if it so chose. Nevertheless, Tehran has consistently denied pursuing a nuclear armament program, highlighting the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities, backed by a religious decree from Khamenei prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons.
Khamenei further articulated his refusal to negotiate with the United States, describing it as “unwise” and criticizing U.S. actions in violating the 2015 nuclear agreement. He previously rejected offers for dialogue with the U.S. in 2019 when Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe initiated talks with Iran.
In summary, Ayatollah Khamenei’s pronouncements highlight Iran’s firm stance against what it perceives as bullying in international negotiations, specifically regarding its nuclear program. The Iranian leadership maintains a critical view of U.S. actions, particularly those undermining the JCPOA. As tensions continue, Iran’s commitment to its nuclear agenda remains strong despite diplomatic engagements with Europe, signaling a complex geopolitical landscape ahead.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
