Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the country’s adversaries have failed to subdue Iran through warfare, prompting them to now incite internal strife. He revealed that a meeting took place in Europe at the onset of the Israeli conflict, aimed at proposing a replacement for the Islamic Republic.
During a speech yesterday, Khamenei remarked that “Western nations convened in a European capital on the second day of the conflict to establish an alternative government for Iran.” He expressed skepticism about resolving the ongoing issues with the United States, asserting that the US seeks to impose its will on Iran.
In a televised address, Khamenei emphasized that the challenges facing Iran are not merely related to allegations such as terrorism support or human rights violations. He indicated that the US is now demanding obedience and submission, stating, “The Iranian people will resist this demand with all their determination.”
The status of negotiations between Iran and the US over the Iranian nuclear program remains unclear. Reformists, including President Massoud Bezhakian and his administration, have not ruled out the possibility of resuming talks. However, hardliners in the parliament are strongly opposed to continuing any discussions following the US’s use of what are known as “bunker buster” bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities during the ongoing conflict.
Observers note that while Khamenei is not fundamentally against negotiations, he rejects the terms set by Washington.
In a related development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Saudi Arabia yesterday to attend an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. According to Tasnim news agency, the gathering aims to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, coordinate urgent aid efforts, and discuss the legal and political ramifications of Israel’s attempts to exert control over Gaza.