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By Ezekiel David
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has indicated a potential opening for renewed nuclear negotiations with the United States.
Addressing the new government of President Masoud Pezeshkian, on Tuesday, Khamenei stated, “It is not contradictory to engage the same enemy in some places, there’s no barrier.”
However, he coupled this with a stark warning: “Do not trust the enemy.” This echoes his stance during the 2015 nuclear deal, which the US unilaterally withdrew from in 2018.
Khamenei emphasized Iran’s need for self-reliance, stating, “We do not have to pin our hope to the enemy. For our plans, we should not wait for approval by the enemies.”
Since the 2015 deal’s collapse, Iran has significantly advanced its nuclear program, enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. This has heightened tensions with Israel, particularly in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
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Pezeshkian campaigned on re-engaging with the West, and Khamenei’s remarks may provide the necessary political cover. The upcoming US presidential election adds another layer of complexity, as Iran remains wary of a potential return of former President Donald Trump.
The US State Department has not yet commented on Khamenei’s remarks. Indirect talks between the two countries have been mediated by Oman and Qatar in recent years.
“We do not have to pin our hope to the enemy. For our plans, we should not wait for approval by the enemies,” Khamenei said. “It is not contradictory to engage the same enemy in some places, there’s no barrier.”
“Do not trust the enemy.”
(Source: AP)
