Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei Maintains Tough Rhetoric Towards the US

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made comments regarding negotiations with the United States. In a statement on Tuesday, Khamenei acknowledged that US President Donald Trump had admitted to attempting to bring down Iran’s theocratic establishment since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Khamenei stated that this admission was “a good confession” and expressed skepticism about any meaningful rapprochement with the US.

Khamenei also referenced historical figures who fought against Shia Muslim imams over 1,350 years ago, drawing parallels between these events and the current situation. He emphasized that Iran will not pledge allegiance to corrupt leaders in America based on religious beliefs.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that indirect talks with the US have concluded in Geneva. Araghchi reported that serious discussions took place, resulting in some agreements and guiding principles being reached. The Iranian negotiating team plans to draft a document outlining these principles.

The Iranian team’s message is that Tehran is “serious” about the negotiations and seeks results, particularly the lifting of harsh US sanctions imposed after Trump withdrew from the 2018 nuclear deal. The US has insisted on certain conditions, including no uranium enrichment within Iran and limiting its missile program.

In parallel talks with Ukraine and Russia in Switzerland, the US teams were led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The negotiations have focused on issues such as Iran’s support for the “axis of resistance” and its nuclear energy program.

Source: Al Jazeera