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Iranwire – The Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has delivered an uncompromising message regarding U.S.-Iran relations, effectively closing the door on potential diplomatic overtures as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House.
In his 7th address since Trump’s victory, Khamenei firmly rejected talks with Washington and cautioned Iranian officials against pursuing better relations.
Khamenei’s public remarks coincided with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s visit to Tehran, who reportedly carried a message from Trump.
Media outlets had initially suggested that this visit could serve as an opportunity for positive exchanges between Tehran and Washington. However, just hours before meeting with Al Sudani, Khamenei dismissed the possibility of mediation in a public speech.
Referring to the efforts of intermediaries and mediators between Iran and the U.S., Khamenei said, “Over many years, we have seen numerous examples of intermediaries stepping in – whether in economic matters, cultural issues, or foreign policy – telling us to do this, make changes, or act in ways that also benefit the United States.”
Since Trump’s victory, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s former foreign minister and current vice president, has expressed the Islamic Republic’s willingness to negotiate with the new administration, both verbally and once through an article in the American magazine Foreign Affairs.
However, Khamenei’s speech offered no indication of reconciliation or even the slightest hint of readiness to engage with the Trump administration.
Instead, Khamenei’s 47-minute address, in which he criticized the U.S. 51 times, was aimed at firmly blocking any path toward reducing tensions or exploring ways to improve the increasingly strained relationship.
Back in 2013, when Khamenei authorized direct Iran-U.S. talks hosted by Oman and was preparing to acknowledge the negotiations publicly, he announced that there would be no obstacle to direct contact with the U.S. government if it lifted sanctions.
This move was meant to rally public opinion and, more importantly, to secure the support of factions within the Islamic Republic, for whom anti-Americanism was central to their identity.
Khamenei had secretly advanced these direct negotiations for months without even informing Hassan Rouhani, his representative in the Supreme National Security Council.
Thus, Khamenei needed to make this tactical shift public, signaling to the U.S. that any negotiations conducted by Iran’s representatives were done with his knowledge and approval.
For years, Switzerland, as the U.S. protecting power in Iran, has been a crucial channel for communications between the two countries. However, this method has mainly facilitated urgent exchanges.
In instances like the nuclear negotiations that led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), intermediaries like Oman were essential before talks transitioned to direct bilateral discussions.
Now, as Joe Biden nears the end of his presidency, there is no sign of agreement within Khamenei’s leadership apparatus on negotiations with the U.S. to lift sanctions, though conditions could change quickly.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said that Iran is waiting to assess the Trump administration’s approach to the country once it begins its second term.
The current state of Iran reflects Khamenei’s steadfast policies toward the U.S. following the JCPOA agreement, which led to the U.S. withdrawal under Trump’s administration.
Trump’s first-term policy toward the Islamic Republic was dubbed “maximum pressure,” characterized by unprecedented sanctions and their strict, uncompromising enforcement.
According to Iran’s government at the time, this policy reduced the country’s oil revenues by 92 percent in its first year, forcing Khamenei to admit six years later, during the inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, that “Iran has little money and little time.”
Yet, despite this ongoing crisis, there are no signs that Khamenei is willing to shift his position.
Trump, returning to the White House for a second term, will enter office stronger than before. Republicans now control the U.S. Congress, and Trump is poised to lead with a more robust mandate.
The team Trump has selected for his second administration, including his proposed secretary of state, is likely to pursue even harsher policies toward the Islamic Republic.
Meanwhile, Iran is far weaker than it was eight years ago, with its legitimacy at its lowest point since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
At 85 years old, Khamenei now drives Iran into a turbulent period in relations with the U.S., offering no clear solutions for the mounting domestic crises or critical external challenges the country faces.
While Khamenei appears resigned to the current state of affairs, he deferred resolution to an uncertain future, saying, “Sanctions, of course, caused harm to the country. It’s not that they didn’t cause harm. Inshallah [God willing], one day, the Iranian nation will recover from these damages.”
