Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei mentioned he rejects a U.S. push for talks between the 2 nations as a result of they might be aimed toward imposing restrictions on Iranian missile vary and its affect within the area.
Talking to a bunch of officers on Saturday, Khamenei didn’t establish the US by title however mentioned a “bullying authorities” was being persistent in its push for talks.
“Their talks will not be aimed toward fixing issues, it’s for … let’s speak to impose what we wish on the opposite celebration that’s sitting on the other facet of the desk,” he mentioned.
Khamenei’s remarks got here a day after President Donald Trump acknowledged sending a letter to Khamenei looking for a brand new cope with Tehran to restrain its quickly advancing nuclear program and change the nuclear deal he withdrew America from throughout his first time period in workplace.
Iran on Saturday mentioned it had not but obtained a letter, the AFP reported.
“We have now heard of it (the letter) however we have not obtained something,” International Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned on state tv.
Khamenei mentioned U.S. calls for can be each army and associated to the regional affect of Iran.
“They are going to be about protection capabilities, about worldwide capabilities of the nation. (They are going to urge Iran) to not do (sure) issues, to not meet some sure individuals, to not go to a sure place, to not produce some gadgets, your missile vary shouldn’t be greater than a sure distance. Is it potential for anyone to just accept these?”
Khamenei, who has remaining say on all state issues, mentioned such talks wouldn’t handle fixing issues between Iran and the West. Although Khamenei didn’t title any individual or nation, he mentioned the push for talks creates stress on Iran in public opinion. “It isn’t negotiation. It’s commanding and imposition,” he mentioned.
Trump in feedback to reporters within the Oval Workplace on Friday didn’t point out the letter straight. However he made a veiled reference to potential army motion, saying: “We have now a scenario with Iran that, one thing’s going to occur very quickly. Very, very quickly.”
His overture comes as each Israel and the US have warned they’ll by no means let Iran purchase a nuclear weapon, resulting in fears of a army confrontation as Tehran enriches uranium at close to weapons-grade ranges — one thing solely achieved by atomic-armed nations.
Tehran has lengthy maintained its program is for peaceable functions, at the same time as its officers more and more threaten to pursue the bomb as tensions are excessive with the U.S. over its sanctions and with Israel as a shaky ceasefire holds in its conflict in opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip.
Iran’s accelerated manufacturing of close to weapons-grade uranium places extra stress on Trump. He is repeatedly mentioned he is open to negotiations with the Islamic Republic whereas additionally more and more focusing on Iran’s oil gross sales with sanctions as a part of his reimposed “most stress” coverage.
Late in August, Khamenei in a speech opened the door to potential talks with the U.S., saying there may be “no hurt” in partaking with the “enemy.” Nevertheless, extra lately the supreme chief tempered that, saying that negotiations with America “will not be clever, smart or honorable,” after Trump floated nuclear talks with Tehran.
