Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday rejected an offer of renewed talks from U.S. President Donald Trump and denied his assertion that the United States has destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Reuters
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday rejected an offer of renewed talks from U.S. President Donald Trump and denied his assertion that the United States has destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Tehran and Washington engaged in five rounds of indirect nuclear negotiations that ended with the 12-day air war in June in which Israel and the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites.
"Trump says he is a dealmaker, but if a deal is accompanied by coercion and its outcome is predetermined, it is not a deal but rather an imposition and bullying," Khamenei said according to state media.
Last week, Trump told the Israeli parliament that it would be great if Washington could negotiate a "peace deal" with Tehran, following the start of a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
"The U.S. president proudly says they bombed and destroyed Iran's nuclear industry. Very well, keep dreaming!" Khamenei added.
"What does it have to do with America whether Iran has nuclear facilities or not? These interventions are inappropriate, wrong and coercive."
Western powers accuse Iran of covertly trying to develop a nuclear bomb through enrichment of uranium, and want it to cease such activity. Tehran denies seeking to weaponise enrichment, saying the programme has solely civilian energy purposes.
Reporting by Parisa Hafezi
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington, where they will discuss negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu's office said on Saturday.
Indirect talks between the United States and Iran have taken place in Oman, raising hopes of renewed diplomacy. US President Donald Trump described the discussions as “very good,” while Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi signaled readiness to reach a quick agreement.
Iran will strike U.S. bases in the Middle East if it is attacked by U.S. forces that have massed in the region, its foreign minister said on Saturday, insisting that this should not be seen as an attack on the countries hosting them.
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