Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected former US President Donald Trump’s call for nuclear negotiations, accusing Washington of using talks as a pretext to impose further restrictions on Tehran.

Speaking to senior Iranian officials on Saturday, Khamenei dismissed Trump’s assertion that he had reached out to the Iranian leadership to restart talks, stating that the United States was not pursuing genuine negotiations but rather seeking to dictate terms.

“Some bully governments insist on negotiations, but their aim is not to solve issues – they seek to dominate and impose their own expectations,” Khamenei said, as reported by Iranian state media.

The remarks came after Trump, in an interview with Fox Business earlier this week, claimed he had sent a letter to Tehran offering two options: a deal or military action. However, Iranian officials said they had not received any such communication.

Khamenei accused Washington of demanding restrictions beyond nuclear-related matters, including curbs on Iran’s defence capabilities and foreign relations.

“They demand that we refrain from developing certain weapons, that we avoid meeting specific people, and that our missile range be limited,” he said, adding that Tehran would not accept such terms.

‘Maximum pressure’ strategy

During his presidency, Trump adopted a hardline stance against Iran, withdrawing the US from the 2015 nuclear accord and reinstating heavy sanctions under the so-called “maximum pressure” campaign. The agreement, negotiated between Tehran and world powers, had imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Following the US withdrawal, Iran gradually stopped adhering to the restrictions outlined in the deal. Efforts by Trump’s successor, President Joe Biden, along with European nations, to revive the agreement have so far failed.