“We Will Not Yield to Pressure”: Global media coverage of Supreme Leader’s remarks

In his address to the Iranian people, the Supreme Leader spoke on current domestic, regional, and global issues, emphasizing that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons and will not negotiate with the United States. His remarks were widely reported across the world. Below is a summary of these reactions.

Reuters highlighted parts of Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, noting that Iran’s leadership also said Tehran will not “yield to pressure” regarding uranium enrichment and reiterated the longstanding official position that Iran does not need nuclear weapons and has no intention of producing them.

The Associated Press emphasized his statements that there will be no direct negotiations with the U.S., reporting that these remarks, made during the annual UN General Assembly session and on the eve of Iranian Parliament Speaker Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to New York, would halt any potential engagement with Americans.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on the Supreme Leader’s Tuesday remarks, noting that he rejected direct talks with the United States over Iran’s nuclear program. AFP did not reference the European Troika’s inappropriate and illegal move to initiate the snapback mechanism and restore UN sanctions against Iran. The report suggested Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments effectively close the last opportunity to prevent the re-imposition of UN sanctions.

The New York Times wrote that while European leaders warn of imminent sanctions against Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed on Tuesday that Iran has no intention of building nuclear weapons. The American newspaper noted that he also emphasized there is no reason to negotiate with the United States.

The Financial Times reported on the Supreme Leader’s remarks, particularly regarding Iran-U.S. negotiations on the nuclear program, noting that Ayatollah Khamenei accused the U.S. of bullying and imposing its demands rather than negotiating, as Washington allegedly pre-determines the outcome of any talks on Iran’s nuclear activities.

France24 reported that the Supreme Leader rejected the possibility of direct talks with Washington, stating: “The U.S. announces the outcome of negotiations in advance. The outcome is the cessation of nuclear activities and enrichment. This is not negotiation; this is dictation and imposition.”

Al Jazeera reported on Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, emphasizing that just days after the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution to extend the suspension of sanctions, he deemed dialogue with the U.S. pointless, stating: “The United States does not negotiate; it dictates. A dignified nation like Iran responds firmly and does not accept such dictates.”

Israeli media outlets such as Haaretz, Jerusalem Post, Yedioth Ahronoth, and Times of Israel published the Supreme Leader’s remarks addressed to the Iranian people.

Times of Israel wrote that Iran’s leadership emphasized: “Negotiations with the U.S. will reach a deadlock because Washington dictates, it does not negotiate.”
Haaretz reported that despite the approaching re-imposition of UN sanctions through the snapback mechanism, Iran’s Supreme Leader rejected any direct negotiations with the U.S. on its nuclear program, while reiterating that the Islamic Republic will not pursue nuclear weapons.

Other media outlets covering parts of Ayatollah Khamenei’s Tuesday remarks on U.S. negotiations and Iran’s refusal to pursue nuclear weapons include The Hindu, Times of India, Asharq Al-Awsat, India Express, TRT, Turkey Today, ABC News, Deutsche Welle, and Al-Monitor.