In Geneva, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a speech on Tuesday that underscored his country’s resolve against US President Donald Trump. “The United States has never succeeded in destroying the Islamic Republic for 47 years,” Khamenei declared during an address. The comments came as Tehran and Washington resumed negotiations, marking their second round after previous talks collapsed amid Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests last year.
These latest discussions followed Washington’s deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Gulf following Iran’s violent suppression of demonstrations sparked by economic hardships. Khamenei warned that any US naval presence in the region could be catastrophic, stating, “A warship is certainly a dangerous weapon, but even more so is the capability to sink it.”
He expressed doubt about the prospects for successful negotiations between Iran and the United States, asserting, “If there are indeed to be talks—and such opportunities are not present—forecasting their outcome prematurely is foolishness.” The US has long pressed Iran to abandon its nuclear program, but Khamenei dismissed this demand outright.
Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium remains a pivotal point in the ongoing standoff between Tehran and Washington. Prior to a conflict with Israel in June, this material reached 60 percent purity. Khamenei highlighted other contentious issues such as Iran’s missile program, which he asserted was not America’s concern, while emphasizing its right to enrich uranium as non-negotiable.
Khamenei described US President Trump’s statements as both threatening and dictatorial, indicating a desire for unilateral control over Iranian affairs. “The words of the American president, from threats to mandates, reflect a yearning for dominance in our nation,” he said.