Iran Condemns US Sanctions and Warns Against Talks
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd during a meeting in Tehran, Iran [File: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP]
Iran has strongly condemned the new sanctions imposed by the United States on its oil industry, calling them “illegitimate and unlawful.” The sanctions, announced on Thursday, target Iranian firms, ships, and individuals affiliated with companies already sanctioned by the US.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned against negotiating with the US, stating that it is “not smart, wise, or honourable.” He emphasized that Iran had made concessions in the past, but the US “tore up” previous agreements .
Khamenei’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump suggested that he plans to raise pressure on Iran and then reach a “verified nuclear peace agreement.” However, Khamenei warned that if the US threatens Iran’s security, Tehran “will threaten [the US’s] security”.
The sanctions are the first new ones to be levied on Iran since Trump returned to the White House. The US president has promised to bring Iran’s crude exports to zero, declaring them part of the ambition to halt Tehran’s nuclear programme.
In response to the sanctions, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Iran “holds the United States responsible for the consequences and repercussions of such unilateral and bullying actions”.
Despite the tensions, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran is ready to give the US a chance to resolve disputes. However, Khamenei’s warnings suggest that any negotiations with the US will be challenging.
