Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected direct negotiations with the United States over his country’s nuclear program
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected direct negotiations with the United States over his country’s nuclear program Tuesday.
Khamenei’s remarks come as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to New York for the U.N. General Assembly. The comments likely will constrain Pezeshkian and halt any possible outreach to the Americans.
Khamenei gave the remarks in a speech aired on Iranian state television. They came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with European counterparts seeking to stop the reimposition of nuclear sanctions, likely set to resume Sunday.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
Senior diplomats from Germany, the United Kingdom and France were holding last minute negotiations with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to explore final options before the reinstatement of sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program on Sept. 28, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said.
A statement issued on behalf of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the meeting, which also involves Kaja Kallas, the foreign policy chief for the European Union.
