Ankara — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned holding any direct talks with the US, state TV reported, rejecting an offer last month by US President Donald Trump for talks with no preconditions with Tehran.
“I ban holding any talks with America ... America never remains loyal to its promises in talks ... just gives empty words ... and never retreats from its goals for talks,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by TV.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV Iran will not rein in its influence in the Middle East despite mounting US pressure on Tehran to curb its regional activities.
“Iran will not change its policies in the region because of US sanctions and threats,” Zarif was quoted as saying.
In May, President Donald Trump exited Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, saying it failed to address Iran’s ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 or its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria.
