Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed the idea of negotiating with the United States on a nuclear deal, even as a letter from then-US President Donald Trump was delivered to Iranian officials. Trump had previously stated that he sent the letter proposing talks while also warning that Iran had only two options: negotiating or facing military action. The letter was handed to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi by Anwar Gargash, a top UAE diplomat.

However, while Araqchi and Gargash were meeting, Khamenei told a gathering of university students that the US offer was merely a "deception" and not a sincere effort to resolve tensions. He argued that Washington would never honor its commitments, making negotiations pointless. Khamenei also accused the Trump administration of making excessive demands and claimed that engaging in talks would only tighten sanctions and increase pressure on Iran. He reiterated that Tehran would not negotiate under the threat of coercion.

The standoff dates back to 2018, when Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded by rolling back its commitments under the agreement. While Trump kept the door open for a possible nuclear agreement, he also ramped up a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at isolating Iran economically.

Military Tensions and Iran’s Nuclear Program: Despite long-standing accusations, Iran has repeatedly denied any intention of developing nuclear weapons. However, recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicate that Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, bringing it closer to weapons-grade levels.

This has raised alarm in Israel, which has threatened military action if diplomatic efforts fail to curb Iran’s nuclear activities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirmed that both countries were committed to preventing Iran from expanding its nuclear capabilities and influence in the region.

Khamenei, in response, issued a stark warning against any military strike on Iran. While he insisted that Tehran is not seeking war, he made it clear that any aggression from the US or its allies would be met with a decisive and forceful response, ultimately harming America the most. Recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian facilities have already weakened Tehran’s conventional military capabilities, according to Western analysts and US officials. However, Iran disputes these claims and maintains that it remains fully capable of defending itself.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file.