In a definitive statement delivered on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, firmly dismissed the possibility of direct talks with the United States regarding the nation’s nuclear program. This rejection comes at a critical juncture, as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is currently in New York, attending the UN General Assembly. Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments are expected to severely limit President Pezeshkian’s diplomatic options and effectively block any potential direct engagement with American officials during his visit.
The Supreme Leader’s pronouncements were broadcast on Iranian state television, following a series of meetings where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been engaging with European counterparts. These discussions aimed to avert the looming reimposition of nuclear sanctions, which are anticipated to take effect on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Khamenei’s unwavering stance now casts a long shadow over these international efforts and Iran’s broader diplomatic trajectory.