Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that negotiations with the United States would not serve Tehran’s interests, calling them a “dead end.”
In a recorded message aired on Tuesday, Khamenei reaffirmed Iran’s stance against international pressure over uranium enrichment, insisting the program is solely for peaceful purposes and not aimed at producing nuclear weapons.
“The American side has been insistent that Iran must not have enrichment,” Khamenei said.
“We have not surrendered, and we will not surrender,” he added, underlining Iran’s determination to continue its nuclear program despite sanctions and pressure from the U.S. and other Western powers.
His statement comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, particularly over Iran’s nuclear activities and efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA). That agreement, which limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, was abandoned by the U.S. in 2018 under President Donald Trump, leading to worsening relations and Iran resuming higher levels of uranium enrichment.
As Iran’s highest political and religious authority, Khamenei has long opposed direct negotiations with the U.S., viewing them as an attempt to weaken Iran’s sovereignty. He stressed that dialogue with Washington would only result in further pressure and damaging concessions.
“Negotiations with the United States will bring no benefit to Iran. They are a dead end,” Khamenei said, rejecting any foreign-imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
He also called for domestic unity and resilience against sanctions, which have severely hit Iran’s economy, fueling high inflation and hardships for ordinary citizens.
