Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that the Islamic Republic will not yield to what he described as United States demands for submission, vowing that the Iranian people will resist any such “insult.”
Speaking at a religious ceremony in Tehran on Sunday, Khamenei accused Washington of seeking to subjugate Iran, even as the country prepares to re-enter negotiations with European powers over its nuclear programme.
“They want Iran to be obedient to America. The Iranian nation will stand with all of its power against those who have such erroneous expectations,” Khamenei said, according to state media.
His remarks come just days after Iran agreed with France, Britain, and Germany to resume nuclear talks. The European nations have warned that they may invoke the United Nations “snapback” sanctions mechanism if Iran fails to comply with previous agreements. Talks are expected to commence on Tuesday.
A Defiant Tone Ahead of Talks
While negotiations are being reinitiated, Khamenei signaled deep skepticism over direct engagement with the US.
“People who ask us not to issue slogans against the US … to have direct negotiations with the US only see appearances. This issue is unsolvable,” he said.
Tensions between Iran and the West remain high, especially following a 12-day conflict in June during which US and Israeli forces reportedly bombed several Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, Tehran suspended nuclear discussions with Washington.
Call for Unity Against Foreign Pressure
Khamenei warned that Western efforts to pressure Iran would include attempts to divide the country internally.
“The way forward for the enemy is to create discord,” he said, accusing “agents of America and the Zionist regime” — referring to Israel — of seeking to sow division within Iran. He called on Iranians to remain united in the face of external threats.
Background on Iran’s Nuclear Standoff
Iran has consistently denied Western accusations that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.
The renewed diplomatic efforts follow the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark deal under which Iran agreed to scale back its nuclear activities in return for international sanctions relief. The deal unraveled after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under former President Donald Trump.
While European nations have since attempted to salvage the deal, Tehran has ramped up its uranium enrichment activities, prompting concerns over proliferation and renewed calls for diplomatic resolution.
As talks resume, Iran’s leadership appears intent on signaling strength and independence — rejecting what it sees as Western coercion while reiterating its commitment to national sovereignty.
