News Desk
TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has firmly dismissed a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump, making it clear that Tehran will not bow to pressure from what he described as bullying nations. In a direct and uncompromising response, Khamenei rejected the notion that Iran would engage in talks dictated by external forces, particularly Washington, which he accused of using negotiations as a tool to impose its will rather than seek genuine resolutions.
Speaking to American media, Khamenei reiterated Iran’s stance on its defense policies, stating unequivocally that the country would not entertain any discussions that jeopardize its missile program or broader military capabilities. The remarks come in response to Trump’s outreach, which reportedly proposed talks over a new nuclear deal while warning of consequences should Tehran refuse to cooperate. “Reaching an agreement would be in Iran’s best interest; otherwise, we will have to take other measures,” Trump is said to have written.
The rejection underscores the widening gulf between the two nations, whose relations have remained tense since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed heavy sanctions on Iran. While Washington continues to push for new negotiations, Tehran has adopted an increasingly defiant posture, insisting that any dialogue must be based on mutual respect rather than coercion. Despite international calls for de-escalation, the latest exchange signals that both sides are entrenched in their positions, with neither showing signs of compromise. For Iran, resisting American demands has become a matter of national sovereignty, while for the U.S., pressuring Tehran remains central to its broader Middle East strategy. As diplomatic and strategic confrontations persist, the possibility of meaningful engagement between the two adversaries appears increasingly remote.
