Iran will respond in kind to US ‘threats’ – Khamenei

Negotiating with Washington is “neither wise, intelligent, nor honorable,” the Iranian supreme leader has said

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has warned that Tehran will respond with tat-for-tat measures to any hostile moves by the US. He also rejected the idea of talks with Washington, saying it would be “neither wise, intelligent, nor honorable.” 

US President Donald Trump has reinstated his so-called “maximum pressure” policy against Iran since returning to office, accusing Tehran of seeking to develop a nuclear bomb. Washington announced more sanctions against Tehran’s oil industry on Tuesday, targeting an international network that facilitates deliveries of Iranian oil to China.

During a meeting with Iranian air force personnel in Tehran on Friday, Khamenei insisted that “the Americans sit and redraw the world map on paper – but it is only on paper, with no basis in reality.”

“They make statements about us, express opinions, and issue threats. If they threaten us, we will threaten them. If they act on those threats, we will do the same. If they undermine our nation’s security, we will undoubtedly respond in kind,” he said.

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Trump stated on Wednesday that he wants to engage in talks with Tehran to reach a “verified nuclear peace agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper.” He also insisted that reports of “the US working in conjunction with Israel… to blow Iran into smithereens are greatly exaggerated.”

However, the Iranian supreme leader cautioned against negotiating with the US government, insisting it would be “neither wise, intelligent, nor honorable.”

Tehran was “very generous” and made “concessions” during the negotiations with world powers on the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which involved Iran giving up its military nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions, he said.

“The same person who is in power now tore up the treaty,” Khamenei noted, referring to Trump unilaterally withdrawing the US from the landmark agreement during his first term in 2018.

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“Negotiations with the US have no impact on solving the country’s problems. We must understand this correctly and not be misled into thinking that sitting at the negotiation table with that government will resolve certain issues. No, negotiations with the US will not solve any problems,” the 85-year-old stressed.