Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Saturday that Iran would not be pressured into negotiations by “bullying” tactics, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he had sent a letter to Khamenei to discuss a potential nuclear deal.
In a Fox Business interview, Trump suggested there were two ways to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions: “militarily, or through a deal” aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
However, Khamenei, in a meeting with senior Iranian officials, criticized Washington’s offer, arguing that the U.S. sought to “impose its own expectations.” Iranian state media reported Khamenei as saying, “The insistence of some bullying governments on negotiations is not aimed at resolving issues. For them, talks are a means to present new demands—this is not solely about Iran’s nuclear issue… Iran will not accept these expectations.”
Trump, while open to a deal, has revived the “maximum pressure” campaign he initiated during his first term, aiming to isolate Iran economically and reduce its oil exports to zero. His 2018 withdrawal from the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, followed by the re-imposition of sanctions, led Iran to exceed its nuclear limits.
The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, led by Rafael Grossi, has warned that time is running out for diplomacy to prevent further escalation of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear activities are peaceful, but the West remains concerned as Iran accelerates its uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade levels.
Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over Iran’s policies, emphasized there was “no other way to resist coercion and bullying.” He also rejected new demands related to Iran’s defense capabilities, missile range, and international influence, saying they would “certainly not be accepted.”
While Tehran maintains its ballistic missile program is defensive, it is viewed by many in the West as a destabilizing factor in the Middle East. Recently, Iran has unveiled new military advancements, including its first drone carrier and an underground naval base, amid rising tensions with the U.S. and Israel.