Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled out any cooperation with the United States unless Washington changes its Middle East policy, particularly its support for Israel.
Speaking at an event with students in Tehran on Monday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 U.S. embassy takeover, Khamenei said Tehran would only consider collaboration if the U.S. withdrew its military bases from the region and ended what he described as interference in Middle Eastern affairs.
“If they completely abandon support for the Zionist regime, withdraw their military bases from the region, and refrain from interfering here, then cooperation can be considered,” Khamenei said. “The arrogant nature of the United States accepts nothing other than submission.”
His remarks come months after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, which began when Israel launched large-scale airstrikes on Iranian targets. The U.S. briefly joined the conflict with strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The confrontation derailed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington that had resumed in April.
A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in effect since June 24.
Khamenei emphasized that national strength was key to deterring external threats, saying, “If the country becomes strong and the enemy realizes that confronting this strong nation will bring loss, the country will certainly gain immunity.”
Iran continues to face heavy international sanctions, intensified since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord in 2018. In September, the United Nations reinstated sanctions under the “snapback” mechanism triggered by Britain, France, and Germany.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Sunday that Tehran remained open to nuclear negotiations with Washington but ruled out talks on its missile program.
“Talks could resume whenever the Americans are ready to negotiate on an equal footing and based on mutual interests,” Araghchi told Al Jazeera. “Apparently, they are not in a hurry and we are not in a hurry either.”
