Tehran: Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani has categorically rejected any possibility of renewed negotiations with the United States, slamming President Donald Trump’s policies as “delusional fantasies” that have plunged the Middle East into chaos.
In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Larijani, who serves as the head of Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council and was a key adviser to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated plainly: “Iran will not negotiate with the United States.”
His statement was a direct response to reports, including a Wall Street Journal story cited by Al Jazeera, suggesting that Tehran had submitted an “initiative to resume talks with Washington” through Omani intermediaries. Larijani dismissed these claims outright, framing the conflict as one of self-defense against aggression.
“Trump plunged the region into chaos with his ‘delusional fantasies’ and now fears more American troop casualties,” Larijani wrote. “Because of his actions, his slogan of ‘America first’ was in fact ‘Israel first,’ sacrificing US soldiers for the foreign nation’s power-hungry ambitions.”
He added, “Today, the Iranian nation is defending itself. The armed forces of Iran did not initiate the aggression.”
Conflict Widens on Second Day
The rejection of diplomacy comes as the military conflict sparked by the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei intensifies dramatically. Iranian officials have blamed a joint US-Israeli air strike on Tehran for his death, with President Masoud Pezeshkian vowing that avenging Khamenei is both “a duty and a right.”
The second day of hostilities has seen:
- Fresh Israeli Strikes:Â Explosions were reported in Tehran as Israel expanded its campaign.
- Gulf Retaliation:Â Iranian missiles have targeted locations across Gulf states, with authorities reporting casualties and damage to infrastructure.
- Shipping Disruption:Â Key shipping lanes near the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted following attacks on commercial vessels, prompting major operators to suspend regional activities and raising fears of an economic crisis.
- Civilian Deaths:Â Israel’s ambulance service reported nine deaths in Beit Shemesh, while Gulf nations are also confirming civilian casualties.
Leadership Transition in Tehran
Internally, Iran’s leadership has moved swiftly to project stability. An interim governing council has been established, comprising President Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and a representative from the Guardian Council. Cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been named to the body, which will govern until the Assembly of Experts selects a permanent successor to Khamenei.
The government has announced a 40-day mourning period and seven days of public holidays. While thousands of mourners have gathered in Tehran, reports indicate pockets of celebration among anti-government Iranians.
