Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Saturday that he will not engage in nuclear negotiations with the U.S., citing their demands regarding Iran’s missile capabilities and regional influence.
Khamenei referred to the U.S. government as “coercive” in a series of posts on X, asserting that negotiations are merely a tactic to impose additional demands.
He stated, “Such negotiations aren’t aimed at resolving issues; their goal is to exert dominance and impose their will.”
The supreme leader elaborated that the “demands” pertain to Iran’s defense capabilities and its international standing.
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Khamenei expressed, “The U.S. demands us not to engage with certain individuals, not to visit specific locations, to restrict our missile range, and to comply with various limitations. How could anyone accept such terms?”
This statement followed President Donald Trump‘s letter to Khamenei, wherein he advocated for a nuclear agreement with Tehran, warning of potential military repercussions should a deal fail to materialize.
Trump mentioned to reporters that the U.S. is “down to the final moments” in negotiations with Iran, hoping to avoid military intervention.
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On Saturday, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes remarked that the administration expects Iran to prioritize its citizens and broader interests over terrorism.
Hughes articulated, “President Trump has made it clear that there are two approaches to handling Iran: through military action or via a diplomatic agreement.”
Behnam Ben Taleblu, director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program, cautioned Trump to tread carefully in dealings with Tehran.
Ben Taleblu warned that Tehran aims to ensnare Trump in protracted negotiations that could undermine the maximum pressure strategy and diminish the credibility of potential American or Israeli military actions while allowing Iran to inch closer to developing a nuclear weapon.
Despite stating in February that he believed Iran was “close” to acquiring a nuclear weapon, Trump affirmed that the U.S. would prevent such a scenario.
He also signed an executive order directing the Department of Treasury to implement “maximum economic pressure” on Iran through a series of sanctions designed to cripple the nation’s oil exports.
The “maximum pressure” initiative, initiated during the first Trump administration, involves imposing stricter sanctions and enhancing enforcement against violations.
The remarks from the president and Khamenei’s responses coincide with the upcoming 18th anniversary of the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert “Bob” Levinson from Kish Island, Iran.
The FBI Washington Field Office posted on Facebook that it “remembers Bob and his family every day” leading up to the anniversary and National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.
The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to Levinson’s location, recovery, and return.
The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to his location, recovery, and return, as well as for information that results in the arrest or conviction of anyone responsible for his alleged abduction.
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To further accountability for Bob’s case, the agency disclosed recently released posters seeking information about Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, two senior Iranian intelligence officers linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security during the time of Bob’s abduction.
