In a sharp response to the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump to negotiate a nuclear peace agreement with Iran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that talks with the United States are neither “wise” nor “honorable” at this time.
Khamenei Dismisses Trump’s Call for Talks
Earlier this week, Trump showed a desire for a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran, one day after imposing stringent “maximum pressure” sanctions on the country. Trump also revealed a contentious intention to leave a set of instructions to “obliterate” Iran if he is killed, talking about an alleged Iranian plot against his assassination.
In response, Khamenei criticized the idea of a discussion with the U.S. He said experiences in the past have proven such discussions are against Iran’s better interest. “It is not smart, wise, or honorable,” Khamenei stated, according to Reuters.
Rhetoric on Both Sides Shifts Regarding Iran Nuclear Deal
The statement comes at a time when the rhetoric from both sides is changing. Just a day ahead of the comments by Khamenei, a high-ranking Iranian official mentioned that it would be Iran who could grant America a final opportunity to sort out the already nagging conflicts with Iran. In stark contrast is Trump’s step during his presidential first term by unilaterally withdrawing the historic 2015 Iran nuclear deal signed between Obama and five members of permanent residence at the U.N.
The deal had strictly limited Iran’s nuclear program in return for the removal of economic sanctions imposed on it by the Security Council.
However, Trump criticized the deal, stating that it was flawed because of clauses not permanent and expiring. After his withdrawal in 2018, Trump increased the sanctions through a “maximum pressure” campaign, in hopes of pressuring Iran back to negotiating with terms more favorable to the United States and Israel.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Escalates Under U.S. Pressure
Contrary to what Trump expected, sanctions did not bring Iran to the negotiating table. It has instead diversified its nuclear program. According to assessments by U.S. intelligence, it now stands at the threshold of becoming a nuclear-armed country.
Iran has enriched uranium up to near weapons-grade levels and is in a place where it can construct a completely-fledged nuclear weapon within 12 to 18 months, with the capacity to develop a crude weapon in only a few months.
As tensions between the two countries continue to rise, Khamenei’s comments signal that Iran is not ready to engage in talks under the current circumstances, despite the ongoing nuclear developments.