Supreme Leader Khamenei responded indirectly to Trump’s rhetoric and pressure, downplaying the possibility of talks but arguably not closing the door completely. He stated:
“No problem is solved through negotiations with America. The reason? Experience. In the 1390s (2010s), we sat down and negotiated with America for about two years. A treaty was also formed. Of course, America was not alone; several other countries were also involved. However, America was the axis; primarily, it was America.
Our government sat down and negotiated—the government of that time. They went, came, sat, stood, negotiated, talked, laughed, shook hands, became friends—they did everything. A treaty was formed. In this treaty, the Iranian side was quite generous. It gave many concessions to the other side. But the Americans did not implement the treaty.
The very person who is now in office tore up this treaty. He said, “I will tear it up,” and he did. They did not implement it. Even before he came, those with whom this treaty was made did not implement it. The treaty was meant to lift U.S. sanctions. The U.S. sanctions were not lifted. The U.S. sanctions were not lifted. In the case of the United Nations, they also left a thorn in the wound, like a constant threat hanging over Iran.
This treaty was the product of two years of negotiations—if I remember correctly, maybe a little more or less. Well, this is experience. We should learn from this experience. We gave concessions, we negotiated, we gave concessions, we compromised, but we did not achieve the intended result. That is what happened. Even this treaty, despite all its shortcomings, was still undermined, violated, and torn apart by the other side. Negotiating with such a government should not be done. Negotiation with them is neither wise, nor intelligent, nor honorable.
No one denies the existence of problems—there are many livelihood problems, and almost all segments of society are struggling with difficulties. However, what resolves these problems is an internal factor. The internal factor is the determination of responsible officials and the unity of the people. This is exactly what you will see in the upcoming march, God willing—the unity of the people. The 22 Bahman march (marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on February 11) every year is the manifestation of national unity in our country. A perceptive nation and tireless officials—this is what solves our problems.”