Sayyed Khamenei rejects US pressure, doubts nuclear talks will succeed
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Iran marks the first anniversary of President Ebrahim Raisi’s martyrdom, with Sayyed Khamenei vowing that Tehran has clear policies that will not bow to foreign pressure.
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In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian leader, Sayyed Ali Khamenei speaks during a memorial in Tehran, Iran, on May 20, 2025, for the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last year (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
The United States insists on direct negotiations to claim that it has succeeded in bringing Iran to the table through threats, inducements, and deception, Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei indicated on Tuesday.
In a post on X commemorating the first anniversary of the martyrdom of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Sayyed Khamenei pointed out that the late president did not allow that narrative to take shape.
The reason the US insists so much on direct negotiations is to claim that they’ve been able to bring Iran to the negotiating table using threats, inducements, and tricks. Martyr Raisi didn’t allow that.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 20, 2025
Raisi, alongside then-Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and accompanying officials, passed away in the tragic helicopter crash on May 20 last year, in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province.
Sayyed Khamenei emphasized that during Raisi's presidency, indirect negotiations took place and led nowhere, divulging that "we don’t think these negotiations will yield results now either. We don’t know what will happen."
Indirect negotiations took place during Martyr Raisi's term similar to what’s happening now. Needless to say, there was no result. We don’t think these negotiations will yield results now either. We don’t know what will happen.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 20, 2025
He advised US officials engaged in the talks to "avoid talking nonsense," detailing how their desire to stop Iran from enriching uranium is "utter nonsense".
Iran doesn’t need permission to pursue its policies, the Iranian leader stressed.
For the Americans to say, “We won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium,” is utter nonsense. We aren’t waiting for anyone’s permission. The Islamic Republic has certain policies, and it will pursue them.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 20, 2025
He recalled how martyr Raisi raised the Holy Quran and a photo of martyr Qassem Soleimani at the UN General Assembly, calling it a "source of pride" for Iran.
The fact that the martyred President Raisi held up the #Quran and held up a picture of Martyr #Soleimani in the UN General Assembly is a source of pride for the nation. pic.twitter.com/1v5O7YSIjs
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 20, 2025
Read next: Ebrahim Raisi, a pillar against Western hegemony
Resistance leaders pay tribute to Raisi's legacy
Sayyed Khamenei paid tribute to Raisi on the first anniversary of his martyrdom, praising his humility, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the people of Iran.
Speaking at a commemorative ceremony held Tuesday at the Imam Khomeini Hall in Tehran, Sayyed Khamenei described Raisi as a leader with “a humble heart,” praising his “sincere and straightforward discourse, and tireless and continuous action.”
“Raisi did not consider himself to be superior to the people,” the Leader said, highlighting the late president's modest lifestyle and the belief that he stood not above the people, but alongside them, and even, as he saw it, in a more humble position.
The ceremony brought together senior officials from Iran’s three branches of government, families of martyrs, and members of the public. Among the attendees were the children of martyred Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut last year.
Raisi's foreign policy continues to shape today's outlook
In the lead-up to the anniversary, Iranian officials and resistance leaders paid tribute to Raisi’s enduring legacy. Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib reaffirmed that the memory of both Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian would live on through continued resistance to the United States and the Israeli occupation, and unwavering support for the axis of resistance.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the foreign policy principles laid out by Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian continue to shape Iran’s international outlook today.
President Masoud Pezeshkian paid his respects by visiting Raisi’s mother in the holy city of Mashhad.
In turn, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, also joined in the tributes, describing Raisi as "a remarkable man who held sensitive and high-ranking positions throughout his life."
The Lebanese leader underscored that “martyr Sayyed Raisi was a towering figure for Iran, and Palestine was always at the core of his heart.”
