Iran’s Supreme Leader on Wednesday praised the president for rejecting talks with the United States and said Tehran must continue its military progress after US President Donald Trump’s threat to stop Iran's nuclear program by force.
"The president said what needed to be said," Ali Khamenei said, addressing defense officials on Wednesday, adding, “(Masoud) Pezeshkian spoke the words of the people and conveyed their true sentiments."
During this week's rally marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Pezeshkian accused the US of duplicity, saying that President Donald Trump called for negotiations while continuing sanctions.
Following a few weeks of ambivalent signals regarding negotiations and a struggle in Tehran's political scene, Khamenei finally voiced his clear opposition to negotiations on February 7, saying talks with the US are "not smart, wise, or honorable."
The Supreme Leader spoke during a visit to an exhibition of the country’s latest military products, where he said Iran should further develop its military, including its missiles.
"Progress should not be stopped. We cannot be satisfied with our current level. If we previously set a limit for the accuracy of our missiles but now feel that limit is no longer sufficient, we must push forward," he said. "Today, our defensive power is well-known, and our enemies fear it. This is crucial for our country."
Khamenei made no mention of Trump during the event.
In spite of scattered protests around the country over economic conditions, he described this week's state-sponsored rallies as a message of unity from the Iranian people.
“Despite the constant, idiotic threats against us, the people of Iran showed the world their identity, their strength, and their unwavering resolve," he said.
Khamenei’s comments came a day after Iran's UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned what he called "reckless and inflammatory statements" by Trump in interviews with The New York Post and Fox News, in which Trump said that he preferred striking a deal to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon rather than bombing the country.
Last week, Trump reinstated his so-called "maximum pressure" policy on Iran, which includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero.
