Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday criticized what he described as attempts by the United States to predetermine the outcome of negotiations, as a second round of Iran-US talks got under way in Geneva.
Speaking at a meeting with a group of people from East Azarbaijan Province, Ayatollah Khamenei said setting the result of negotiations in advance was “a wrong and foolish act” carried out by the US president, some senators and other officials. “They say let us negotiate about your nuclear energy, and the outcome of the negotiation should be that you do not have this energy,” he said.
He added that, in principle, there was little room for negotiations under such conditions, but even if negotiations are to take place, determining in advance that the outcome must necessarily be the agreement they want is foolish.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation were holding talks with a US team in Switzerland. The discussions are taking place in a tense atmosphere, amid a significant US military buildup in the region and repeated warnings from Washington of possible military action if no agreement is reached.
Referring to US President Donald Trump, the Leader said, “He says our army is the strongest in the world. The strongest army in the world may at times be struck so hard that it cannot stand up.” He added, “More dangerous than an aircraft carrier is the weapon that can send it to the bottom of the sea.”
He said such statements indicated that the United States sought domination over the Iranian nation. “The Iranian people know their Islamic and Shia lessons well. They know what to do,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Iran, with its culture, history and values, would not submit to what he described as “corrupt leaders” currently in power in the United States.
Addressing Trump’s past comments about regime change, he said Washington had failed to overthrow the Islamic Republic over the past 47 years. “You will not be able to eliminate the Islamic Republic either,” he added.
