Khamenei Rejects Negotiation Proposal; U.S.: Maximum Pressure Will Remain If No Agreement

Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Iranian government, mentioned the possibility of negotiations with the U.S. during a meeting with several officials on Saturday, March 9, stating that their goal is to "set new expectations" which "will certainly not be met by [the Islamic Republic of] Iran." In response to Khamenei's remarks, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Voice of America that President Trump has clearly stated that the United States is committed to preventing the Iranian government from acquiring nuclear weapons and has expressed readiness to negotiate a "deal with Iran." If the Iranian regime does not seek an agreement, the President has made it clear that Iran will remain under the revived maximum pressure campaign. Khamenei stated that negotiations are not for "solving issues" but for "domination," claiming that the subject will not be limited to just "nuclear" matters, but will also include issues such as "defensive capabilities," "international abilities" of the country, and restrictions regarding "missile range." Trump has called for a comprehensive agreement with the Islamic Republic since returning to the White House while reviving the maximum pressure policy. However, Khamenei has declared any negotiations with the U.S. as forbidden. Meanwhile, the economic situation in Iran worsens daily due to the government's extensive tensions with the world and the West. Currently, as negotiations to revive the nuclear agreement have stalled, concerns about the future of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program have increased according to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency. A few days ago, Trump announced that he had written a letter to the leaders of the Islamic Republic expressing hope for negotiations, which made headlines. The U.S. President also warned that the only options for dealing with the Islamic Republic are "reaching an agreement" or "military action." On Friday, March 8, Trump stated at the White House regarding Iran that a significant event will happen soon, that decisive moments regarding Iran have arrived, and that "interesting days" are ahead. He emphasized, "I hope the result is peace, but the other way will also solve the problem." Khamenei also referred to the European side in his meeting with officials, stating that they claim the Islamic Republic has not fulfilled its commitments under the JCPOA, saying, "They did not fulfill their commitments from the first day, and after the U.S. withdrawal, they promised to compensate, which they broke twice." Khamenei's claims come as Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, reported to the Agency's Board of Governors on March 4 that the Islamic Republic has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity to 275 kilograms. The Director General of the IAEA described the Islamic Republic of Iran as the only non-nuclear country that has enriched uranium to this level, calling it a "serious concern." The European Union's representation at the IAEA also stated that the Iranian government has halted its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA and added that the Agency has been unable to carry out actions related to the verification and monitoring of the nuclear agreement over the past four years. Khamenei expressed hope that Masoud Pezeshkian would soon announce the implementation of "great demands" to the people. Pezeshkian had previously stated during a session to impeach the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance that he was in favor of negotiations with the U.S., but the leader of the Islamic Republic opposed it. The President of the Fourteenth Government emphasized "unity" in remarks made before Khamenei's speech during the meeting with officials, stating, "No power can bring down a nation that moves together behind an Imam and towards a Qibla." Khamenei was pleased with these remarks and praised Pezeshkian's rhetoric. U.S. officials have repeatedly stated in recent weeks that if the Iranian government does not agree to a new comprehensive agreement, the maximum pressure campaign, which was revived with the start of Trump's administration, will continue. Israel and the U.S. have repeatedly stated that they will not allow the Iranian government to acquire nuclear weapons.