Ayatollah Khamenei stated that Iran will not negotiate under U.S. pressure, accusing the U.S. of aiming to impose its expectations rather than resolve issues. This stance follows Iran’s recent breaches of nuclear limits after the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018, raising concerns about Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that Iran will not engage in negotiations with the United States, which he characterized as “bully” pressure. In a recent meeting with Iranian officials, Khamenei indicated that the U.S. seeks negotiations to impose its expectations rather than to genuinely resolve issues. He emphasized that negotiations are viewed by the U.S. as a means to create new demands that extend beyond Iran’s nuclear concerns, stating, “Iran will definitely not accept their expectations.”
Despite his firm stance, Khamenei’s remarks come alongside ongoing discussions on potential diplomatic engagement. Former President Trump had previously implemented a “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s economy and oil exports, citing Iran’s non-compliance with nuclear restrictions after the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018.
Since the U.S. exited the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has progressively breached the agreed limits on its nuclear program and accelerated uranium enrichment, raising alarms about potential weapons-grade capabilities. U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi has noted that time is running out for diplomatic resolutions that could impose stricter limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities. Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are for peaceful purposes only.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s refusal to negotiate under perceived U.S. pressure underlines Iran’s position on international diplomacy. With ongoing tensions stemming from the U.S. exit from the nuclear deal and Iran’s subsequent nuclear advancements, the landscape remains fraught with complexities. The assertion underscores the broader implications for global diplomatic efforts aimed at nuclear non-proliferation.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
