- Khamenei sets conditions for resuming cooperation with the United States.
- He says the United States must completely abandon its support for Israel for negotiations.
- The Iranian Foreign Minister says he is ready for negotiations only on the nuclear program.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday that Tehran would only consider cooperating with the United States if it changes its policies in the region, including supporting Israel.
“If they completely abandon their support for the Zionist regime, they should withdraw their military bases from here [the region]and refrain from intervening in this region, then he [cooperation] can be considered,” Khamenei said.
“The arrogant nature of the United States accepts nothing but submission.”
In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, sparking a war that saw the United States briefly join strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
The 12-day war with Israel, which provoked an Iranian response with missile and drone strikes, derailed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, which began 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 bring profit but will bring losses, the country will definitely get immunity,” Khamenei added.
Iran is reeling from years of international sanctions, particularly after the United States in 2018 withdrew 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 triggered the process.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera that Tehran remained “ready to begin negotiations” with Washington, but only on its nuclear program, excluding any discussion on its ballistic capabilities.
He added that negotiations could resume “when the Americans are ready to negotiate on an equal footing and on the basis of mutual interests. Apparently, they are in no hurry. We are in no hurry either.”
