Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed the prospect of nuclear talks with the United States, insisting that negotiations would not address Iran's problems days after President Donald Trump talked of making a deal where Iranians could "get on" with their lives.
"The reality that we must understand is that negotiating with America has no effect in resolving the country's problems," Khamenei said on February 7 in an annual address to Iranian Air Force officers.
The supreme leader, who has the final say on all state matters, insisted it would "not be intelligent, wise, or honorable" to negotiate with Washington.
His comments come as Iranian officials have for months been signaling Tehran's openness to talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump himself has called for a new nuclear deal with Iran, saying he wants Iran to "peacefully grow and prosper" as long it does not have nuclear weapons.
The Republican president on February 4 brought back the "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that was the cornerstone of his policy toward the Islamic republic during his first term in office, though Trump also said he would like to start working on a "verified nuclear peace agreement."
In 2018, Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. He also reimposed sanctions that had been lifted under the terms of that agreement.
Khamenei pointed to Trump's abrogation of the nuclear deal as evidence that "negotiating with America is pointless."
The Iranian leader's comments have caused a stir on social media, with some saying his remarks effectively rule out talks with the United States. Others argue that he did not issue a formal ban on negotiations with Trump and his comments should not be taken at face value.
Precisely 12 years ago, during his 2013 address to air force officers, Khamenei charged that "negotiating with America will not solve problems."
As he was delivering those comments, Iranian and American officials were preparing to hold another round of secret talks that eventually paved the way for negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal.
