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The Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has once again ruled out negotiations with the United States. In a speech on March 8, Khamenei made it clear that he views negotiations as a tool of coercion, not diplomacy, warning that accepting such pressure would embolden adversaries and undermine the regime’s stability.
“The insistence of some arrogant governments on negotiations is not about resolving issues,” Khamenei declared. “It is about imposing their demands. The Islamic Republic will never accept their expectations.”
His remarks came a day after Trump revealed he had sent a letter to Khamenei, offering negotiations as an alternative to military action. The U.S. president warned that Washington is “in the final stages” of dealing with Iran and that “something will happen soon” regarding the regime’s nuclear ambitions.
Khamenei, however, dismissed any possibility of diplomatic engagement, describing the push for talks as “not real negotiations, but coercion and imposition.” He argued that the U.S. would not stop at the nuclear issue but would also demand restrictions on “defense capabilities, missile range, and Iran’s international influence.”
Khamenei’s Speech Reveals His Deepest Fear: The #Iranian Peoplehttps://t.co/pcr6apDfMu
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 18, 2025
Khamenei’s Fear of Internal Collapse
Beyond external threats, Khamenei’s speech also signaled his growing concern about internal divisions within the regime, warning officials against infighting at a time when the system is already fragile.
“Their hope is in our internal divisions,” he said, cautioning regime officials to maintain unity and “not to turn every disagreement into a battlefield.”
Khamenei has long feared that any retreat in foreign policy would embolden internal dissent—not just among opposition forces but also within his own power base, which has already shown signs of factionalism. His concern is that any concession to the U.S. would be perceived as weakness, leading to a collapse of morale among his supporters.
“We must stand united. If we do not, they will exploit our differences,” he warned, clearly signaling to rival factions within the regime that internal conflict could accelerate its downfall.
#Iran’s Leadership Unites Behind #Khamenei’s Hardline Stance Against U.S. Negotiationshttps://t.co/cNKeSgWHql
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 9, 2025
Khamenei Scolds Officials Who Avoid Making Decisions
In a rare public rebuke of his own regime’s inefficiency, Khamenei criticized officials who refuse to make difficult decisions out of fear of consequences.
“Some believe that the safest course of action is to make no decisions at all,” he said. “This is wrong and will lead to disastrous consequences. Just as we are held accountable for our actions, we will also be held accountable for our inaction.”
His comments were a direct attack on political rivals who, in the face of an economic crisis and international pressure, are pushing him to come to terms with the West. Khamenei’s warning also reflects his frustration with paralysis within the state apparatus, where officials fear that any decision—whether economic, political, or military—could backfire and provoke further instability.
His statement suggests he sees hesitation as more dangerous than miscalculated action, as indecision risks allowing Iran’s enemies—both internal and external—to exploit the regime’s weaknesses.
#Khamenei Spins Narratives to Boost Low Morale Amid #Iran’s Mounting Criseshttps://t.co/zEOHf5dAQf
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 23, 2025
Khamenei Blasts Europe: “Shameless Beyond Limits”
In his speech, Khamenei also lashed out at European countries for criticizing Tehran’s nuclear violations. Referring to the recent joint statement by the UK, France, Germany, and the U.S., which warned that Tehran’s non-compliance with international nuclear commitments could lead to UN Security Council action, Khamenei dismissed their concerns as hypocritical.
“You claim that Iran has not fulfilled its obligations under the nuclear deal? Very well—did you fulfill yours?” Khamenei retorted. “From day one, you failed to comply. Even shamelessness has its limits.”
In recent days, many regime officials have been attempting to intimidate the international community to deter the activation of the UNSC Resolution 2231 snapback mechanism, which could lead to the reinstatement of UN sanctions on Tehran.
Another speaker at the event, Pezeshkian, stressed the need for unity under a single leadership, arguing that any internal division or multiple centers of power would lead to chaos and instability, ultimately benefiting “Iran’s enemies.”
During his speech, Khamenei went out of his way to praise the regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian, calling his remarks “good and useful” and commending his supposed dedication and “sense of responsibility.” He lauded Pezeshkian’s emphasis on “trusting in God” and taking on ambitious projects, expressing hope that the president would soon deliver major achievements. This carefully crafted endorsement served as a reminder that Pezeshkian remains a loyal servant of the regime, fully aligned with Khamenei’s dictates.
While Khamenei seeks to portray his refusal to negotiate as a sign of strength, the reality is that his regime is running out of options. The regime’s nuclear program is under intense international scrutiny, the country is facing one of its worst economic crises, and domestic opposition continues to grow. In an attempt to mask his regime’s vulnerability, Khamenei has adopted an increasingly hostile and threatening tone, using aggressive rhetoric to conceal his deepening weakness following months of setbacks in the region and a convergence of political and socio-economic crises.
Khamenei, trapped in his own rhetoric, is left with two choices: maintain his hardline stance and risk deeper isolation or make concessions that could lead to internal collapse. Given his long-standing belief that negotiating with the U.S. is suicidal for his regime, he appears determined to hold the line—no matter the cost.