Iran Declares, ‘We Will Not Negotiate With United States’

A senior Iranian security official declared online today that “We will not negotiate with the United States”, directly countering reports that Washington and Tehran were preparing to reopen talks.

The statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, in which he claimed Iran was seeking dialogue. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk,” Trump said, criticising Tehran for delaying negotiations and noting that many of the officials previously involved in diplomacy were killed in recent strikes.

Escalating Tensions

The exchange comes after US airstrikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a dramatic escalation in the ongoing Israel–Iran–US conflict. Trump defended the strikes as necessary to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile development, while insisting the US economy remains strong despite fears of instability in global oil markets.

Trump’s Call for Uprising

In a separate video message, Trump urged Iranians to rise against the regime once bombing campaigns conclude, framing the moment as a chance to “seize control of their destiny.” He stopped short of promising sustained U.S. military support for a prolonged uprising, saying decisions would depend on circumstances at the time.

Reports of celebrations among Iranian expatriates in U.S. cities contrasted with anti-war protests, highlighting the divided global response.

Casualties and Security Risks

The Pentagon confirmed three American service members were killed and five wounded in the operation, the first U.S. casualties of the campaign. Trump declined to discuss whether new threats to the U.S. homeland had emerged, though intelligence agencies have long tracked alleged Iranian plots against American officials.

Israel’s Position

Israel has strongly backed Washington’s actions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, linking the latest strikes to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Israeli military officials vowed to continue targeting Iran-backed groups, declaring: “We will not forget.”