Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Rejects Nuclear Negotiations Trump's Proposal, Considers America Deceived

JAKARTA - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected the proposal to hold negotiations with the United States regarding the nuclear deal.

US President Donald Trump previously sent a letter to Khamenei proposing nuclear negotiations but also warned of "there are two ways to deal with Iran: militarily, or you make a deal" that prevents Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The letter was submitted to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Wednesday, March 12 by Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates.

When Araqchi and Gargash met, Khamenei told a group of students Trump's offer to negotiate was "a trick aimed at misleading public opinion", state media reported.

"If we know they won't respect it, what's the point of negotiating? Therefore, the invitation to negotiate ... is a hoax of public opinion," Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media.

Khamenei said negotiating with the Trump administration, which he said had excessive demands, "will strengthen the bond of sanctions and increase pressure on Iran".

In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with the world's major powers and reimposed sanctions that had crippled Iran's economy. Tehran reacted a year later by violating nuclear restrictions on the deal.

Khamenei, who holds a final say in terms of Iran's state affairs, said last week Tehran would not be intimidated for talks with "excessive demands" and threats.

The UAE, one of Washington's main security partners in the Middle East and host to US forces, also maintains a warm relationship with Tehran.

Despite past tensions, business and trade relations between the two countries remain strong, and Dubai has been a major commercial hub for Iran for more than a century.