Key Takeaways:

• Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected the US proposal for nuclear talks.
• Khamenei described the US talks offer as a "deception," asserting it would not alleviate sanctions.
• US President Trump’s letter, delivered via the UAE, warned of military options against Iran if negotiations fail.

In a significant diplomatic stance, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has firmly rejected the notion of negotiating with the United States regarding the nuclear deal proposed by President Donald Trump. The letter from Trump, advocating for renewed discussions, was delivered by Anwar Gargash, a senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Khamenei characterized Trump's overture as a "deception aimed at shaping global opinion," emphasizing that entering negotiations under such circumstances is futile because "we know they won't honour it." He condemned the Trump administration's excessive demands, claiming they would only exacerbate existing sanctions against Iran.

Khamenei reminded his audience of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which the US abandoned in 2018, resulting in renewed sanctions that crippled the Iranian economy. In his remarks, he highlighted, "We negotiated for years, reached a complete and signed agreement, and then this individual tore it up." Amid escalating tensions, he affirmed Iran’s commitment to nuclear research, rejecting any intentions to develop nuclear weapons, stating, "If we wanted to build nuclear weapons, the US would not be able to stop it. We ourselves do not want it."

Reports indicate that Iran's uranium enrichment levels have risen significantly, prompting concern among international observers such as the International Atomic Energy Agency. The US, while signaling a readiness for dialogue, persists with a strategy of "maximum pressure" against Iran, aimed at isolating it from the global economy and limiting its oil exports. Khamenei warned of severe repercussions if Iran were threatened militarily, asserting, "Iran is not seeking war, but if the Americans or their agents take a wrong step, our response will be decisive and certain." This escalating rhetoric occurs against a backdrop of heightened military readiness from both Israel and the US, who have indicated a commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms.