Khamenei Critiques U.S. Bullying Tactics Amid Nuclear Negotiation Tensions

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned U.S. President Trump’s bullying tactics after new threats regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Khamenei characterized negotiations as attempts for dominance, rejecting pressure to engage with the U.S. He also criticized European nations for failing to fulfill their commitments under the JCPOA while asserting the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, criticized what he termed “bullying tactics” used by governments after U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats of military action regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Khamenei described these foreign leaders as bullies, stating that their calls for negotiations are not intended to resolve issues but to assert dominance. He emphasized that they are setting unrealistic expectations that Iran is unlikely to meet.

In a letter to Khamenei, Trump urged Iran to engage in negotiations concerning its nuclear program or face potential military consequences. Khamenei’s government remains firm against negotiations under the United States’ “maximum pressure” strategy, which Trump reinstated after returning to office. This approach includes the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, which was aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

The Iranian leadership has been engaging in diplomatic discussions with Britain, France, and Germany to address its nuclear ambitions. However, Khamenei reproached these European nations for claiming Iran has not met its commitments under the JCPOA, asserting that they themselves have not fulfilled their obligations.

Khamenei noted that Iran maintained its commitments for a year, but subsequent legislative actions necessitated a rollback from the deal. U.S. estimates suggest that Iran could theoretically produce a nuclear weapon within weeks, although Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected such accusations, citing a religious edict prohibiting nuclear arms development.

The supreme leader reiterated his refusal to negotiate with the United States, labeling such discussions as “unwise” shortly after Trump proposed a new nuclear deal. He has accused the U.S. of violating agreements and has firmly dismissed the notion of engaging with Trump, calling him unworthy of dialogue.

In summary, Ayatollah Khamenei denounced the U.S. and its allies for their bullying tactics concerning Iran’s nuclear negotiations. Despite pressure from Trump and European nations, Khamenei and Iranian officials remain resolute against negotiations under coercion. Moreover, they maintain that their nuclear program is peaceful, refuting claims of potential weapon development and emphasizing their commitment to the JCPOA.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com