Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei dismissed reports about indirect messaging between Tehran and Washington, insisting the United States is “not worthy” of a relationship with the Islamic Republic.
In a televised speech on November 27, he accused the United States of betraying even its own allies and supporting the “criminal Zionist gang” governing in Palestine.
He also said Washington is willing to ignite wars anywhere in the world for access to oil and underground resources, adding that this “warmongering” has now reached Latin America.
“Such a government is not deserving of engagement or cooperation with a state like the Islamic Republic,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei firmly rejected claims that Iran has sent messages to the US through a third country. His remarks follow reports suggesting Tehran had relayed a message to Washington via Saudi Arabia. Last week, just ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s trip to Washington, Iran’s president sent a letter to the kingdom. Iranian officials insisted the letter focused solely on bilateral issues and the Hajj, but speculation about an indirect message to the US continued.
Iran featured in the meeting between bin Salman and US President Donald Trump. Trump said Iranians were seeking dialogue and that he welcomed such talks. Bin Salman reportedly said he was ready to help facilitate discussions and argued that a US-Iran agreement would benefit both Iran and the wider region.
The Leader insisted, however, “The rumors about Iran sending a message to the United States through intermediaries are outright lies.”
Iran had been engaged in talks with Washington earlier this year, but Israel started a 12-day war with Iran that drew in the United States. The conflict halted the negotiations, though occasional reports of limited message exchanges have surfaced since.
Paris Talks
One day before Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech, Iran’s foreign minister visited Paris for talks with his French counterpart. He said afterwards that a “balanced and fair negotiation” with the United States is currently impossible due to Washington’s stance.
He stressed that the Islamic Republic has always been ready for dialogue and has never abandoned diplomacy, but negotiations require rules, above all, avoiding excessive demands and coercion. “Negotiation is fundamentally different from dictation and obeying orders,” he said, adding that talks can succeed only when these principles are respected.
In an interview with France 24, the foreign minister also reiterated that the president’s letter to the Saudi crown prince dealt solely with Hajj matters and had nothing to do with mediating between Iran and the United States.
