Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared on Saturday that Tehran will not succumb to U.S. pressure to negotiate a new nuclear deal. This statement came a day after President Donald Trump revealed he had sent a letter to Khamenei proposing discussions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In an interview with Fox Business, President Trump outlined two approaches to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions: “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal.” He emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to halt Tehran’s nuclear weapons development.
Responding to these overtures, Khamenei accused the U.S. of attempting to impose its expectations through negotiations. He asserted that such talks are a means for “bullying governments” to introduce new demands beyond the nuclear issue, which Iran will not accept. Khamenei emphasized, “Iran will definitely not accept their expectations.”
The Supreme Leader also highlighted that U.S. demands extend to Iran’s defense capabilities, missile range, and regional influence, areas Tehran considers non-negotiable. He stated, “They are bringing up new demands that certainly will not be accepted by Iran, like our defense capabilities, missile range, and international influence.”
In response to Khamenei’s remarks, White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes reiterated the administration’s stance, emphasizing the preference for a diplomatic solution over military action. Hughes expressed hope that the Iranian regime would prioritize the well-being of its people over supporting terrorism.
