Khamenei Critiques U.S. Bullying Tactics and Rejects Negotiations

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the bullying tactics of foreign powers, especially the United States, regarding nuclear negotiations. Trump threatened military action if Iran does not engage in talks. Khamenei asserted that negotiations are intended for domination, and he reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear activity while rejecting negotiations with the U.S. as “unwise.”

Tehran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed vehement criticism on Saturday regarding what he characterized as bullying tactics from certain foreign governments, particularly in response to threats of military action from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement made to officials, Khamenei remarked, “Some bully governments… insist on negotiations,” asserting that such discussions are not intended to resolve issues but rather to exert domination over Iran.

Following Trump’s Friday declaration, in which he urged Khamenei to engage in negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program or face military consequences, Khamenei emphasized that these so-called diplomatic efforts serve primarily to impose the expectations of powerful nations. While he did not explicitly mention the United States or reference Trump’s letter, he stated that these powers are trying to establish unreasonable expectations from Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during an interview on Friday, reiterated that the country would not engage in negotiations under conditions of maximum pressure, which has been reinstated by the U.S. since Trump’s return to office in January. The maximum pressure policy originated with the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The JCPOA, negotiated between Tehran and Western powers in 2015, provided economic sanctions relief in exchange for constraints on Iran’s nuclear activities. Khamenei criticized European nations—Britain, France, and Germany—for alleging that Iran had not complied with its commitments under the JCPOA, challenging them to reflect on their own adherence to the agreement.

Khamenei asserted that while Iran had respected the JCPOA for a time, subsequent legislative actions compelled a rollback of its obligations under the agreement. He affirmed Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear pursuits, supported by a religious edict prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons. Moreover, he characterized negotiations with the United States as “unwise,” particularly after Trump called for a renewed nuclear deal.

Further, Khamenei condemned the U.S. for ruining the 2015 agreement and firmly dismissed the notion of negotiating with Trump, declaring that he does not “consider Trump as a person worthy of exchanging messages with.” This dismissal follows previous attempts by Japanese officials to mediate between Iran and the United States, which were also rejected by Khamenei.

In conclusion, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized perceived bullying from foreign powers, particularly the United States, regarding negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. He emphasized that these negotiations serve to impose domination rather than resolve issues. Khamenei affirmed Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear activities and firmly rejected the prospect of negotiations with President Trump, highlighting the unsatisfactory adherence of the U.S. to the JCPOA as a basis for his stance.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com