Amid tensions with Israel after the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has changed his tune on enemy country America. He hinted at opening the way for fresh talks with America on his country’s rapidly growing nuclear program. He told the country’s government on Tuesday that there is ‘no obstacle’ in negotiating with the ‘enemy’.
Khamenei’s comments set the scope for any talks to be held under the government of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while reiterating his warning that the United States cannot be trusted.
However, Khamenei’s comments are similar to those made during Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with various countries. Under the said deal, Iran had agreed to slow down its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Despite Khamenei’s remarks, it is not clear how much room Pezeshkian will have to negotiate with the US, especially when tensions remain in the world over the Israel-Hamas war and the US is openly supporting Israel. In addition, preparations are underway for the US presidential election in November.
“We should not put our hopes on the enemy. We should not wait for the approval of our enemies for our plans,” Khamenei said in a video message broadcast on state television. He also said, “It is not contradictory to engage in talks with the same enemy in some places, there is no obstacle in this.”