The US president this week proposed that a nuclear deal with Tehran could be possible.
advertisementIran’s top leader responded skeptical of President Donald Trump’s plan to hold bilateral talks over the country’s nuclear enrichment program.
Speaking to a Tehran Air Force officer on Friday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that in light of Trump’s actions during his first presidential term, negotiations with Washington were “intelligent, wise or honorable.” Not that,” he said.
The 85-year-old, Iran’s most powerful figure for over 35 years, added that “there should be no negotiations with such a government.”
During Trump’s first four years, his administration withdrew from a groundbreaking nuclear deal with Iran. Under the conditions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), strict restrictions were imposed on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions.
After the US rescinded the agreement in 2018, Iran again began to strengthen its nuclear capabilities. Currently, uranium is concentrated to 60% purity. In other words, it’s a step away from developing 90% weapon grade levels.
Referring to Trump’s decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, Khamenei said on Friday: The very person in office today torn apart the contract. He said he would, and he did. ”
“This is an experience we have to learn. We negotiated, made concessions, compromised, but we didn’t achieve the outcome we aimed for, and we also had all of that flaws. Despite this, the other side ultimately violated the agreement and destroyed it.”
The Supreme Leader’s comments come just a day after Iranian reformist President Masuud Pezeshkian said he was accepting dialogue with the West.
Iran continues to struggle economically under the weight of sanctions. Following Khamenei’s comments, the Iranian rial fell to a record low against the US dollar.
Earlier this week, Trump signed an executive order reintroducing the “maximum pressure” policy on Iran.
However, he showed his hope that both countries might make a deal.
“I’m going to sign it, but hopefully we’ll have to use it much,” he said of the executive order on Tuesday. “We will see if we can arrange or manipulate a deal with Iran.”
“We don’t want to be tough on Iran. We don’t want to be tough on anyone,” Trump added. “But they can’t have a nuclear bomb.”
The US president then took him to social media on Wednesday to say, “I would prefer a verified nuclear peace agreement.
