Iran’s supreme chief decried “bullying governments” and bristled on Saturday on the concept of negotiating over the nation’s nuclear program with america in an obvious response to a letter sent by President Trump earlier within the week.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the chief, not directly addressed Mr. Trump’s suggestion that Iran negotiate over its quickly advancing nuclear program or face potential navy motion, whereas talking at a gathering with authorities and navy officers for Ramadan. Although he didn’t explicitly point out the letter, Mr. Trump and even america by title, it was clear he was talking about Washington’s current gesture.
“Some bullying governments insist on negotiations to not resolve points however to impose,” Mr. Khamenei mentioned, based on state media. He added that “negotiation is a path for them to make new calls for, it’s not simply nuclear points to discuss the nuclear subject, they’re making new calls for which will certainly not be accepted by Iran.”
Talking on Friday within the Oval Workplace, Mr. Trump prompt that Iran’s nuclear capabilities — which now embody sufficient near-bomb-grade gasoline to provide about six weapons — have been reaching a important level. He mentioned he had supplied the nation an opportunity to barter or risk dropping its program in a navy strike.
The White Home didn’t present any specifics in regards to the content material of Mr. Trump’s letter, which the president mentioned he despatched on Wednesday.
Iranian officers are at present at odds over whether or not the nation ought to negotiate over this system. Whereas the ayatollah denounced Mr. Trump’s provide, different reasonable and reformist leaders have spoken in favor of opening negotiations, together with President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took workplace final yr. In the end nevertheless, Mr. Khamenei, who has lengthy mentioned Iran can’t belief america, has the ultimate say.
The 2015 nuclear accord negotiated by President Barack Obama had been efficient, officers say. Iran had shipped almost all its nuclear gasoline stockpile overseas, and worldwide inspectors mentioned the Iranians have been abiding by the sharp restrictions on new manufacturing of nuclear gasoline.
However Mr. Trump, who had repeatedly criticized the accord, withdrew from the nuclear settlement with Iran throughout his first time period and reimposed heavy financial sanctions on the nation, playing that Tehran would reply by pleading for a brand new deal extra advantageous to america.
Iran didn’t come again to the desk, and now this system has reached a important juncture, specialists say.
Mr. Trump has additionally probably undermined his proposal by upending two U.S. packages that for many years have labored to show Iran’s atomic bomb packages. One program has since been restored, however specialists fear the disruptions will harm the worldwide battle to include nuclear proliferation.
Farnaz Fassihi contributed reporting.
