- Khamenei presents conditions to resume cooperation with the United States.
- He says the United States must completely abandon support for Israel for talks.
- Iran’s Foreign Minister says he is ready for talks only on the nuclear program.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Tehran would only consider cooperating with the United States if it changes its policy in the region, including support for Israel.
“If you completely abandon support for the Zionist regime, remove your military bases from here [the region]and refrain from interfering in this region, then [cooperation] can be considered,” Khamenei said.
“America’s arrogant nature accepts nothing but submission.”
In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, triggering a war in which the United States briefly joined in attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The 12-day war with Israel, which prompted an Iranian response with missile and drone attacks, derailed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which had begun in April.
A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in effect since June 24.
“If the country becomes strong and the enemy realizes that confronting this strong nation will not produce gains but losses, the country will certainly gain immunity,” Khamenei added.
Iran has been reeling from years of international sanctions, especially after the United States withdrew in 2018 from a nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions.
In September, the United Nations reinstated sanctions under the so-called “snapback” mechanism after Britain, France and Germany activated the process.
On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera that Tehran remained “ready to engage in negotiations” with Washington, but only over its nuclear program, ruling out any talks about its missile capabilities.
He added that talks could resume “when the Americans are willing to negotiate on an equal footing and based on mutual interests. Apparently, they are in no hurry. We are in no hurry either.”
