In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has harshly criticized what he describes as bullying countries. This statement follows a letter from former President Donald Trump, which demanded negotiations over Iran's controversial nuclear program. Trump asserted on Friday that he had warned Tehran of potential military action if it refused to engage in talks aimed at reaching a nuclear deal.
In a vehement response delivered on Saturday, Khamenei made it clear that Iran would not enter negotiations with governments that employ bullying tactics. He emphasized that the Iranian regime has made significant advancements in its nuclear program in recent years, as reported by the United Nations' monitoring agency. Trump's attempts to forge a new agreement with Iran aim to prevent the further development of its nuclear capabilities.
On Friday, Trump stated that he had presented Iran with a choice: negotiate a new nuclear deal or face consequences for its nuclear program. "I've written them a letter, saying I hope you're going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing for them," he told Fox Business. Trump articulated that there are two approaches to dealing with Iran: militarily or through a negotiated agreement. "I would prefer to make a deal because I am not looking to hurt Iran," he added.
Khamenei's remarks, reported by local media, appeared to be a direct response to Trump's statements, although he refrained from naming the United States explicitly. He accused certain governments of engaging in negotiations that are not intended to resolve issues but rather to establish dominance over Iran. "Their negotiations aim at domination," he stated, underscoring that the nuclear issue is not the only concern, but rather part of a broader set of expectations that Iran has no intention of fulfilling.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, expressed alarm in December over Iran's decision to significantly increase its production of highly enriched uranium. Grossi noted that Iran's stockpile now includes uranium enriched to 60%, a level just shy of the purity required for a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, has consistently denied allegations of pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting that its program is intended for peaceful purposes.
Previously, Iran had agreed to limitations on its nuclear activities under the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, a comprehensive agreement forged with the US, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany in exchange for sanctions relief. However, Trump’s withdrawal from the deal during his first term and the subsequent reinstatement of US sanctions have led Iran to accelerate its nuclear ambitions, pushing its uranium enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels.
The landscape of conflict in the Middle East has further exacerbated nuclear tensions over the past year. Trump has indicated a willingness to support Israel in military actions against Iran's nuclear facilities, especially following a series of retaliatory attacks between Israel and Iran linked to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Moreover, Iranian air defense systems, which are crucial for protecting its nuclear sites, have suffered damage from Israeli strikes on military targets.
Compounding these challenges, Iran's government faces mounting economic pressure from stringent Western sanctions and has experienced widespread protests over social and economic grievances in recent years. Despite these issues, Iran is set to conduct annual joint naval drills with Russia and China on Monday, further asserting its military presence in the region from the Iranian port of Chabahar.
