Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected the possibility of nuclear negotiations with the United States, citing U.S. demands concerning Iran’s missile capabilities and regional influence.
In a series of posts on X, Khamenei described the U.S. government as “coercive,” arguing that negotiations are simply a tool for imposing further demands on Iran.
“Such negotiations aren’t designed to resolve issues,” Khamenei stated. “They aim to assert dominance and force their will upon us.”
He further explained that these “demands” pertain to Iran’s defense capabilities and its role in international affairs.
“They tell us not to do this, not to meet that person, not to go there, not to produce this, and to limit the range of our missiles to a certain extent,” Khamenei wrote. “How could anyone accept such conditions?”
Khamenei’s posts followed President ‘s letter urging a nuclear agreement with Tehran, accompanied by a warning of potential military repercussions if an agreement is not reached.
Trump told reporters on Friday that the U.S. is “down to the final moments” and expressed hope that military intervention would not be necessary.
In a statement released on Saturday, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes expressed the administration’s hope that Iran would “prioritize its people and their best interests over terror.”
“President Trump has made it clear that there are two potential paths for dealing with Iran: military action or reaching a deal,” Hughes stated.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program, cautioned Trump to “exercise caution” in discussions with Tehran.
“Tehran is attempting to ensnare him in prolonged diplomacy to weaken maximum pressure and undermine the credibility of potential American or Israeli military action, while simultaneously advancing its nuclear weapons development,” Ben Taleblu warned in a statement.
While Trump had previously stated in February that Iran was “close” to developing a nuclear weapon, he affirmed that the U.S. would prevent such an outcome.
He also signed an executive order instructing the Department of Treasury to implement “maximum economic pressure” on Iran through a series of sanctions targeting the country’s oil exports.
The “maximum pressure” strategy against Tehran, initiated during Trump’s first term, involves increased sanctions and stricter enforcement measures for violations.
These comments from the President and Khamenei’s subsequent remarks come in the days leading up to the 18th anniversary of the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert “Bob” Levinson from Kish Island, Iran, on Sunday.
The FBI Washington Field office posted on Facebook on Friday, stating that it “remembers Bob and his family every day” in advance of the anniversary and National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.
The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Levinson’s location, recovery, and return, according to the post.
The Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to his location, recovery, and return and information leading to the arrest or conviction of anyone responsible for his alleged abduction.
“As part of our continued efforts to resolve Bob’s case and hold the Iranian regime accountable for its role in Bob’s disappearance, we recently released seeking information posters featuring Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, two senior Iranian intelligence officers who worked for Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security at the time of Bob’s abduction,” the agency wrote in the post.
Digital’s Diana Stancy contributed to this report.
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