Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has firmly rejected the idea of engaging in talks with the United States. He argued that such discussions are neither wise nor honorable at this point in time.
Trump’s Desire for a Nuclear Deal
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump expressed his intent to reach a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran. This came after he imposed stringent sanctions on the country and threatened to “obliterate” Iran if he were killed, following allegations of an assassination plot against him.
Khamenei’s Response
In response, Khamenei stated on Friday that past experiences have shown that talks with the US are not smart, wise, or honorable. His remarks indicate Iran’s skepticism toward any negotiations with the United States.
Iran’s Willingness for Dialogue
However, despite Khamenei’s rejection, a senior Iranian official suggested that Iran might still be open to resolving disputes with the US. This signals a potential willingness for dialogue, despite the current tensions.
Trump’s Withdrawal from the Nuclear Deal
During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which had been negotiated by the Obama administration. The agreement had limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized the deal, arguing that certain clauses were temporary and bound to expire eventually.
The Backfire of ‘Maximum Pressure’
Following his exit from the deal, Trump imposed harsh sanctions under his “maximum pressure” strategy. He hoped this would force Iran into negotiations. However, the approach backfired. Instead of yielding to US pressure, Iran accelerated its nuclear program.
Iran Close to Developing Nuclear Weapons
As a result of these developments, Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels. According to US intelligence reports, Iran is now in a position to develop a fully functional nuclear weapon within 12-18 months. In fact, it could even produce a crude weapon in just a few months.