Iran’s senior security official, Ali Larijani, said Tehran will not enter negotiations with the United States, signaling a tougher stance after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement posted on X on Monday, Larijani rejected reports suggesting that Iran had sought indirect talks with Washington following the weekend attacks. “We will not negotiate with the United States,” he said, dismissing claims of renewed diplomatic outreach.
Larijani, who serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, also accused U.S. President Donald Trump of destabilizing the region and creating what he described as “false hopes” about diplomacy.
Regional Fighting Intensifies
His remarks came as violence escalated across the Middle East. Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Sunday, while Iran and allied groups responded with missile attacks targeting Israel and U.S.-linked sites throughout the region.
President Donald Trump said overnight that U.S. and Israeli military operations would continue and could last for several weeks. He warned Iran’s leadership and security forces to surrender or face additional strikes.
The latest escalation followed coordinated U.S.-Israeli attacks that killed Khamenei over the weekend. Iranian officials described the operation as crossing a “dangerous red line” and said the country had no choice but to retaliate.
Larijani’s firm rejection of negotiations represents a significant shift in tone. Only days earlier, Iranian officials had indicated that a potential nuclear agreement with Washington remained possible if diplomatic efforts were prioritized.
