Iran’s Khamenei rejects Trump’s offer, vows to resist ‘coercive’ demands

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signaled the country’s refusal to engage in negotiations with the United States, calling such talks a tool for coercion rather than problem-solving.

Speaking during a meeting with senior government and military officials in Tehran on Saturday, Khamenei criticized “coercive governments” pushing for talks, emphasizing that their intention was not to resolve issues but to impose dominance on Iran.

“Some coercive governments insist on negotiations. Such negotiations aren’t aimed at solving issues. Their aim is to exert their dominance and impose what they want,” Khamenei stated on X. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will certainly not accept their expectations.”

Khamenei further elaborated that these governments make new demands on Iran’s defense and international actions, including restrictions on missile capabilities and diplomatic engagements. He questioned how Iran could accept such demands, stating: “How could anyone accept such things?”

Khamenei’s remarks follow recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who alluded to either negotiating a new nuclear deal or pursuing a military option with Iran. Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018, which had been aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program.

For coercive governments, negotiations are a means to impose new demands. Iran will definitely not fulfill these new demands.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 8, 2025

Iran’s rejection of ‘Western accusations’

Khamenei also addressed criticisms from European parties to the nuclear deal, who have accused Iran of not honoring its commitments. He fired back, asking, “You say Iran has not fulfilled its nuclear commitments. Well, did you fulfill yours?”

In line with Khamenei’s statements, senior Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, have repeatedly stated that Iran will not negotiate with the U.S. under pressure or threats.

Aragchi, in an interview on Friday in Saudi Arabia, reiterated that Iran would not engage in direct negotiations with the U.S. as long as the “maximum pressure” policy continued.