Khamenei Rejects U.S. Talks, Accuses West of Hypocrisy

Tehran: Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated calls for negotiations, stating that such offers are not made in good faith but are instead attempts to impose Washington’s will on Tehran. Speaking at a meeting with the heads of Iran’s three branches of government and other senior officials, Khamenei declared that the Islamic Republic would not succumb to external pressures disguised as diplomacy.

“The persistence of some bullying governments in wanting negotiations is not to solve issues but to impose their own expectations. The Islamic Republic of Iran will undoubtedly reject their demands,” Khamenei asserted. His remarks come as Trump continues to express a willingness to engage in dialogue while maintaining stringent economic sanctions on Iran.

U.S. Sanctions and the JCPOA Fallout

Since withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, the Trump administration has ramped up sanctions aimed at crippling Iran’s economy. The 2015 nuclear deal, which involved the U.S., Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany, had placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, Washington’s abrupt exit from the agreement and the subsequent failure of European nations to uphold their commitments led Tehran to scale back its own compliance with the pact.

Recently, Trump claimed he had written a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, inviting him to negotiate. However, the Iranian leader has repeatedly dismissed such overtures as deceitful, calling engagement with the U.S. “unwise, unintelligent, and dishonorable.”

Adding to tensions, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced further sanctions targeting Iran’s oil sector and drone production capabilities, reinforcing Washington’s hardline stance against Tehran.

Khamenei Blasts Western Double Standards

Khamenei also criticized European nations for their failure to adhere to the JCPOA. He accused Britain, France, and Germany of hypocrisy, pointing out that while they demand Iran’s compliance, they themselves did not honor their commitments under the deal.

“Now, those three European countries issue statements, claiming that Iran hasn't fulfilled its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. Well, did you fulfill yours? You never did from the start. After the U.S. withdrew, you promised to compensate in some way, but you broke that promise too,” Khamenei remarked. “There are limits to shamelessness!”

Beyond the nuclear issue, Khamenei took aim at broader Western policies, particularly regarding freedom of expression. He accused the West of selectively allowing free speech while censoring discussions on sensitive topics such as Palestine, Lebanon, and historical narratives involving Nazi Germany.

“They claim to have the free circulation of information. Is that really the case? Is there free circulation of information in the West now? Can you mention the names of Haj Qassem, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, or Martyr Haniyeh in Western virtual spaces? Can you protest against the crimes committed in Palestine and Lebanon? Can you deny the alleged events of Nazi Germany against the Jews? This is their free circulation of information! This civilization has revealed its true nature today.”

Call for Economic Reforms and National Unity

Turning to domestic issues, Khamenei emphasized the importance of economic stability and reforms, urging Iranian officials to strengthen the national currency and improve monetary policies. He stressed that overcoming economic challenges requires unity and coherence among the three branches of government and the Armed Forces.

As Iran continues to navigate mounting external pressure, Khamenei’s remarks reinforce Tehran’s stance of resistance against Western demands while calling for domestic reforms to bolster the nation’s resilience.