NNA - Iran should not negotiate with the United States because doing so would be neither wise, intelligent, nor honorable, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told a group of air force personnel in Tehran on Friday.

In his harshest remarks since February 4, when President Donald Trump reinstated his so-called maximum pressure policy on Iran, Khamenei accused Washington of failing to uphold its commitments under the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal. He claimed that the US never lifted its sanctions despite the agreement.

However, in early 2016, all UN sanctions and some US sanctions were lifted as part of the deal—until Trump reimposed economic sanctions in May 2018.

“Negotiating with such a government should not be done; it is neither wise, intelligent, nor honorable,” Khamenei said.

Trump’s renewed sanctions pressure was accompanied by a statement expressing hope that negotiations could prevent further punitive measures. His remarks sparked debate in Iran, with some urging President Masoud Pezeshkian to engage in talks to prevent additional economic sanctions.

Khamenei, however, dismissed such calls and issued a vague warning of retaliation against the US, without clarifying whether he was referring to military action or other forms of pressure.

“The Americans sit and redraw the world map on paper—but it’s only on paper, with no basis in reality. They make statements about us, express opinions, and issue threats. If they threaten us, we will threaten them. If they act on those threats, we will do the same. If they undermine our nation's security, we will undoubtedly respond in kind,” he said.

Khamenei, who is Iran's top decision maker on all matters, also rejected the notion that negotiations with the US could ease Iran’s economic troubles.

“Negotiations with the United States have no impact on solving the country's problems. We must understand this correctly and not be misled into thinking that sitting at the negotiation table with that government will resolve certain issues. No, negotiations with the United States will not solve any problems,” Khamenei, 85, said.

Iran’s economy has worsened significantly since 2018, when Trump imposed new oil export and banking sanctions. The national currency has lost 95% of its value—falling 22-fold—while inflation has hovered around 40% for the past five years. Some official estimates indicate that more than one-third of the population now lives below the poverty line.--agencies 

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