DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed strong opposition to negotiations with the United States, labeling them as “not intelligent, wise, or honorable” during remarks made on Friday. These comments coincided with President Donald Trump's recent indications toward a willingness to engage in nuclear talks with Tehran.

Khamenei further asserted that “there should be no negotiations with such a government,” although he did not issue a formal directive against interactions with Washington. His statements appear to contradict months of signals from Tehran, which had previously shown interest in discussing their advancing nuclear program in exchange for lifting severe economic sanctions undermining the Iranian economy.

The implications of Khamenei’s remarks remain uncertain, especially as Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian campaigned on the promise of engaging with the West as recently as last Thursday.

In a speech to air force officers, Khamenei criticized past diplomatic experiences with the US, referencing Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from a nuclear agreement that had seen Iran drastically limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for economic relief. “The Americans did not uphold their end of the deal,” said Khamenei, noting the straightforwardness with which the current U.S. administration exited the agreement. “This is an experience we must learn from,” he continued, highlighting the failures of previous negotiations.

Khamenei's remarks follow Trump’s executive orders which aimed to restore a “maximum pressure” strategy towards Iran, even while suggesting he was open to negotiations. “We will see whether or not we can arrange or work out a deal with Iran,” Trump stated, aiming for a verified nuclear peace agreement.

Khamenei maintains a pivotal role in Iranian politics, often threading carefully through remarks to manage internal political pressures between reformists and hardliners, including the influential Revolutionary Guard. He articulated that if the U.S. threatens Iran, the country will reciprocate in kind.

As discussions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program continue, Iranian leaders stress their intentions for a peaceful nuclear agenda. However, Iran currently enriches uranium to 60% purity, nearing the threshold for weapons-grade levels. U.S. intelligence reports suggest no concrete weapons program is currently in place but highlight Iran's capability to pursue one if desired.

The dialogue between Iran and the U.S. faces further complexity as regional political dynamics shift. Khamenei's recent statements, while focusing on U.S. relations, also indirectly responded to Trump’s remarks regarding potential resettlements of Palestinians, indicating that “the Americans sit, redrawing the map of the world — but only on paper.”

For more detailed coverage, refer to AP News, Time, and HuffPost.