Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for Tehran to suspend its nuclear programme, saying the demand “deserves a slap in the face” from the Iranian people.
Speaking in a live televised address, Khamenei criticised what he described as Washington’s predetermined approach to talks, accusing the US of seeking to force Iran into full surrender over its nuclear activities, according to Iran International.
“Negotiating with the United States under the current conditions carries harms for Iran, some of which are irreparable,” Khamenei said. “The American side has predetermined the outcome of the negotiations, meaning they have stated they will only accept talks whose result is the shutdown of Iran’s nuclear activities and enrichment. This is not negotiation, this is dictation,” the Iranian Supreme Leader added.
Khamenei’s remarks came just hours after Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he once again called on Iran to dismantle its nuclear programme.
“The world’s number one sponsor of terror can never be allowed to possess the most dangerous weapon,” Trump told world leaders. “That’s why, shortly after taking office, I sent the so-called Supreme Leader a letter making a generous offer. I extended a pledge of full cooperation in exchange for a suspension of Iran’s nuclear program. The regime’s answer was to continue their constant threats to their neighbours and US interests throughout the region and some great countries that are right nearby,” the US President stated in his speech at the UN.
Khamenei hit back at Trump’s comments, accusing him of insulting the Iranian nation.
“It is clear that the Iranian people give a slap in the face to the person saying this and will not accept it,” he said.
Reaffirming Tehran’s position, Khamenei stated that Iran would never abandon its right to enrich uranium.
“The American side has been adamant that Iran must not have (uranium) enrichment. We did not surrender and we will not. We did not and will not yield to pressure in this matter or any other matter,” he said.
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