Ali Khomeini, grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, has reaffirmed Iran’s hardline stance on relations with the United States, saying negotiations should not be viewed as efforts to achieve peace or normalise ties.
According to The Times of Israel, Khomeini said on Friday that resistance to what he described as Western domination remains central to Iran’s ideology. He argued that diplomacy with the United States is a strategic tool rather than a sign of reconciliation.
“If you see that the Islamic Republic talks about negotiations, it is not about peace negotiations. Can we make peace with criminal America? Our identity is non-compromise with arrogance. Negotiation means war; war has different forms,” he said.
Khomeini added, “Anyone who wants to negotiate in order to reach peace with America is a traitor. Anyone who sends a message of friendship to America, their mouth is impure and unclean.”
He maintained that Iran’s negotiations are intended to protect its strategic interests, not improve relations with Washington, while criticizing those within Iran who advocate closer ties with the United States. His remarks come amid continued tensions between the two countries over Iran’s nuclear programme, regional security, and sanctions.
