Amid growing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday criticized the US’ threats of military action, calling them “unwise” and warning of Iran’s ability to retaliate.
“The US is threatening militarism. In my opinion, this threat is unwise. Iran is capable of retaliating and will definitely inflict a blow,” Khamenei stated.
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His remarks follow reports that US President Donald Trump had sent a letter to Iran via UAE official Anwar Gargash, urging Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal.
Trump’s Letter ‘A Public Deception’
Khamenei dismissed Trump’s letter as an attempt to “deceive public opinion,” emphasizing that Iran refuses to negotiate because the US previously withdrew from the 2015 JCPOA agreement and has a history of not honoring commitments.
“How could we hold negotiations with the US when we know they don’t fulfill their commitments?” Khamenei questioned.
During his first term, Trump abandoned the 2015 nuclear deal and reinstated harsh sanctions that crippled Iran’s economy. In his second term, he has renewed his “maximum pressure” campaign to push Iran into a new agreement while continuing efforts to isolate Tehran economically.
Negotiations Will Tighten Sanctions, Not Remove Them
Khamenei argued that negotiating with the US would not ease sanctions but rather intensify restrictions on Iran.
“Negotiations will cause the knot of sanctions to become tighter and pressure to increase,” he warned in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter).
Iran Stands Firm on Nuclear Policy
Addressing concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Khamenei stated that if Tehran wanted nuclear weapons, no force could stop it. However, he reaffirmed that Iran neither possesses nor seeks nuclear weapons, emphasizing that its policy is a matter of choice, not pressure.
While insisting that Iran does not seek war, Khamenei issued a clear warning:
“If someone takes action, our response will be decisive and certain.”
His statements underline Iran’s strong stance against US threats, making it clear that Tehran will not compromise on its sovereignty.
