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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed the prospect of negotiations with the United States, stating that past experience has shown such talks are neither "smart, wise, nor honorable."
His remarks, made during a meeting with Iranian air force officers on Friday, come just days after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his call for a new verified nuclear peace agreement with Tehran.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
Khamenei's comments undercut recent efforts by Iran's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was elected in 2024 after campaigning on engagement with the West. They also contrast with previous signals from Tehran that negotiations could be possible.
Trump's renewed push for a deal comes as the U.S. reimposes sanctions on Iran under a "maximum pressure" strategy.
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What did Khamenei say?
Khamenei suggested that negotiations with the U.S. would not lead to any meaningful progress, citing past failures.
"We negotiated, we gave concessions, we compromised—but we did not achieve the results we aimed for," he said, referencing the 2015 nuclear agreement that the U.S. withdrew from during Trump's first term.
He also pointed to Trump's role in abandoning the deal, stating: "The very person who is in office today tore up the agreement. He said he would, and he did."
While Khamenei stopped short of totally rejecting talks, his remarks send a strong signal that negotiations remain unlikely.
Trump's Renewed Push for a Nuclear Deal
Trump, who unilaterally withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear accord, has suggested that a new agreement should be reached immediately. On Tuesday, while reimposing sanctions, he stated: "We will see whether or not we can arrange or work out a deal with Iran."
He followed up with another statement on Wednesday, writing on Truth Social: "I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper."
Trump also dismissed reports that the U.S. and Israel were preparing a military strike against Iran, calling such claims "greatly exaggerated.
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What People Are Saying
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: "If they threaten us, we will threaten them in return. If they act on their threats, we will act on ours. If they violate the security of our nation, we will, without a doubt, respond in kind."
President Donald Trump: "We don't want to be tough on Iran. We don't want to be tough on anybody. But they just can't have a nuclear bomb."
What Happens Next
With Khamenei dismissing talks and Trump signaling interest in a new deal, the future of U.S.-Iran diplomacy remains uncertain. Pezeshkian's government has indicated a willingness to negotiate but Khamenei's influence may limit Iran's diplomatic flexibility.
Updated 02/07/2025, 6:43 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further details.
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