Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Attacks America, One Day After Announcement of Full Return of Sanctions

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, launched a severe attack against America and its President, once again criticizing those who seek negotiations with the U.S. He did not consider Washington's sanctions against Tehran to be 'new.' Khamenei's remarks on Saturday, November 12, came one day after U.S. officials announced the full return of sanctions against Iran; however, he did not directly reference this issue, only stating, 'The claim that the sanctions are a new action against Iran is, in fact, deceiving oneself.' U.S. officials had previously indicated that the full return of sanctions would take effect from Monday, reiterating their concerns about the 'malicious behavior' of the Islamic Republic in the region and the world. President Donald Trump also stated hours later that 'the most severe sanctions against this ruthless regime will be imposed,' adding that a time would come when Iranian officials would finally show intelligence and come to the negotiating table for a real agreement. In his Saturday speech, Khamenei labeled U.S. officials' claims that the sanctions do not target the Iranian people as a 'shameful lie,' asserting, 'The Iranian government is nothing without the people.' He also stated that the condition for the 'end of resistance and hostility' of the Islamic Republic towards the U.S. is the end of American 'hegemony.' According to the IRNA news agency, he responded to the question of how long the Islamic Republic's 'resistance and hostility' towards America would continue by saying, 'When America abandons its hegemony, it will be possible to interact with it like other countries, but this is unlikely because the essence of arrogance is domination and hegemony.' Khamenei also pointed to what he called 'clear signs of America's decline,' again criticizing those who, according to him, 'lean towards reconciliation with America,' advising them not to draw 'baseless and unfounded plans.' Many political figures inside and outside Iran have previously called for direct negotiations between Iran and the U.S. and criticized the Islamic Republic's policies in the region. Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament, also stated on November 8 that the implementation of the European proposal package to Iran is contingent upon 'possible de-escalation' between Iran and the U.S. The Supreme Leader had previously expressed regret over past negotiations with the U.S. and stated that, like Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, he would prohibit negotiations with America. In recent days, Iranian officials, including the President and Foreign Minister, condemned the return of sanctions that had been lifted under the JCPOA, downplaying their significance. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on Saturday, declaring that while this action would have 'minimal negative consequences for Iran's economy,' it would represent a 'great moral and political fall' for the U.S. The ministry welcomed the recent statement from the European Union and expressed confidence that the Islamic Republic could overcome this challenge 'with the cooperation of friendly countries.' In recent months, reports about the full return of U.S. sanctions have led to turmoil in Iran's currency market and sparked protests in several Iranian cities in July.