Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed US threats on Friday, stating that such warnings "will get them nowhere" in dealing with Tehran.
His remarks came in a live televised speech marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year, following US President Donald Trump's recent comments about possible military action against Iran.
Khamenei warned that any hostile move against Iran would be met with a "hard slap," emphasizing that pressure tactics would not succeed. His statement comes after reports that Trump had sent a letter to Khamenei on March 7, urging Iran to negotiate its nuclear program while also issuing a veiled threat of military intervention.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the letter, describing it as "more of a threat," but noted that it also seemed to present certain opportunities. He stated that Tehran is currently assessing its response, which will be announced in the coming days.
US news outlet Axios reported on Wednesday that Trump’s letter had set a "two-month deadline" for reaching a new nuclear agreement, though specific dates were not provided.
Khamenei has previously rejected Trump's calls for negotiations, accusing the US of attempting to manipulate global perception by appearing open to talks while exerting pressure on Iran. Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy against Tehran, continuing his hardline approach.
In 2018, Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, reimposing harsh economic sanctions. Iran initially complied with the agreement for a year but later reduced its commitments, ramping up uranium enrichment to 60%—far beyond the 3.67% limit set by the original deal and nearing the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade material.
Despite multiple diplomatic efforts, the revival of the nuclear deal has so far been unsuccessful. Tehran has consistently refused direct negotiations with Washington under coercion, with Araghchi reiterating on Thursday that Iran "will not engage in talks while facing pressure, threats, and increased sanctions."
