Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that the United States wants Tehran “to be obedient” to it, but the Iranian people will resist such “a grave insult”.
This statement comes as Iran agrees to hold nuclear talks with European powers, amid a standoff with Western powers over its nuclear program.
During a religious event on Sunday, Khamenei said, “they want Iran to be obedient to America. The Iranian nation will stand with all of its power against those who have such erroneous expectations”.
He emphasized that the path forward for adversaries is to create discord within Iran, blaming “agents of America and the Zionist regime” for seeking to sow division. Khamenei urged Iranians to remain united to confront what he described as US efforts to subjugate the country.
Khamenei’s comments follow Iran’s agreement with European powers to resume talks aimed at restarting full negotiations on curbing Tehran’s nuclear enrichment work.
France, Britain, and Germany have warned that they could reactivate United Nations sanctions on Iran under a “snapback” mechanism if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table. These talks are expected to take place on Tuesday.
The tensions between Tehran and Washington have deep roots, dating back to the 1979 Islamic revolution that overthrew the pro-Western government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Relations further deteriorated when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed sanctions as part of his “maximum pressure” policy.
The 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025 derailed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, with Iran suspending negotiations after Washington and Israel bombed its nuclear sites.
The European states, along with the US, claim Iran is working towards developing nuclear weapons. However, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. This fundamental disagreement continues to drive the standoff between Iran and Western powers.
The situation remains complex, with Iran’s Supreme Leader reaffirming the nation’s resolve to resist external pressures. As nuclear talks resume, the international community watches closely, aware that the outcome will significantly impact regional and global stability.