US News : Responding to US Trump, Iran's Khamenei says Tehran won't be 'BULLIED' into nuclear talks.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's recent push for nuclear negotiations, asserting that Tehran will not be coerced into talks under pressure. Khamenei's stance comes in response to Trump’s claim that he sent a letter to the Iranian leadership proposing discussions to curb Iran’s nuclear program, while also hinting at military action if Iran refuses.
Responding to US Trump, Iran's Khamenei says Tehran won't be 'BULLIED' into nuclear talks
Khamenei, speaking to senior Iranian officials on March 8, 2025, described such overtures from "bullying governments" as attempts to dominate rather than resolve issues, insisting that Iran will not bow to demands it deems unacceptable.
Trump has emphasized his desire to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating there are "two ways" to handle the situation—negotiation or military force—while expressing a preference for a deal. However, Khamenei countered that negotiations with the U.S. are not aimed at solutions but at imposing new expectations, extending beyond the nuclear issue to areas like Iran’s missile capabilities and regional influence.
He argued that Iran’s past experience, particularly the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under Trump’s first term, proves such talks lack sincerity and honor.
This exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the two nations. Iran’s leadership remains defiant, with Khamenei underscoring that standing firm is the only way to counter coercion.
Meanwhile, Trump’s reimposed "maximum pressure" policy, including fresh sanctions on Iran’s oil sector, continues to escalate the standoff as Tehran accelerates its uranium enrichment, nearing weapons-grade levels according to the UN nuclear watchdog.
Despite Iran’s insistence that its program is peaceful, the situation teeters on the edge of potential conflict or diplomatic deadlock.
