Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei Rejects Negotiations Under U.S. Pressure

Ayatollah Khamenei stated that Iran will not negotiate under U.S. pressure, viewing such offers as efforts to impose expectations. Trump has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign targeting Iran’s economy, and diplomatic opportunities appear to be dwindling as Iran accelerates its uranium enrichment. Tehran maintains its nuclear efforts are for peaceful purposes.

In a recent meeting with senior officials, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei affirmed that Iran will not engage in negotiations with the United States under perceived pressure, labeling Washington’s overtures as attempts to impose its own expectations. He stated that these efforts by certain countries are not aimed at resolving issues, but rather at dominating the negotiation landscape. Khamenei emphasized, “Talks for them is a path to have new expectations; it is not only about Iran’s nuclear issue. Iran will definitely not accept their expectations.”

Former President Donald Trump has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, a strategy aimed at isolating the nation economically and reducing its oil exports significantly. During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump withdrew the United States from a pivotal agreement that restricted Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following Trump’s departure from the deal in 2018 and the reintroduction of sanctions, Iran has reportedly exceeded the previously established nuclear limits.

Rafael Grossi, chief of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has indicated that the window for diplomatic efforts to impose further restrictions on Iran is rapidly closing, as the country advances its uranium enrichment close to weapons-grade levels. In response, Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are intended solely for peaceful purposes.

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Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements reaffirm Iran’s refusal to negotiate under pressure from the United States, viewing such approaches as efforts to impose unreasonable expectations. Trump’s re-imposition of strict sanctions following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement further complicates diplomatic relations. As the timeline for establishing new restrictions on Iran’s nuclear trajectory approaches, the international community remains watchful of Tehran’s commitment to non-proliferation amid escalating tensions and enrichment activities.

Original Source: m.economictimes.com