DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday that talks with the United States were “not smart, wise, or honorable”, days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “love to make a deal” with Iran.
Khamenei criticised Trump’s past administration for not honouring its promises but stopped short of renewing a ban on direct talks with Washington decreed during the first Trump administration in 2018.
Trump said this week he would like to start working on a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran while also restoring his maximum pressure campaign on the country. Trump told reporters that his message to Iran was: “I would love to be able to make a great deal. A deal where you can get on with your lives.”
During his previous term in office in 2018, Trump pulled the U.S. out of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear pact with world powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.
Following the measures Tehran breached the pact’s nuclear limitations.
“Negotiating with America is neither smart, wise, or honorable. It will not solve any of our problems. The reason? Experience!” Khamenei was quoted as saying in comments to air force personnel marking the anniversary of Iran’s 1979 revolution and carried by Iranian state media.
Iran had reached its agreement with the U.S. and other countries after two years of talks, he said, but the Americans did not adhere to it despite Iran’s many concessions. “The person in charge tore it up,” said Khamenei, referring to Trump.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that Iran was ready to give the United States a chance to resolve disputes.
Khamenei said Iran would retaliate in kind if the Americans attacked Iran. “If they threaten our security, we will threaten theirs. If they act on their threats, we will do the same.”
Referring to Trump’s proposal to forcibly move Palestinian inhabitants from Gaza to neighboring Arab countries, Khamenei said:
“On paper, Americans are changing the world map. Of course it’s only on paper because it’s devoid of reality.”
(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Toby Chopra and Aidan Lewis)
