Iran ready to negotiate with US on nuclear program

Khamenei's remarks set clear red lines for any negotiations that might occur under President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration and reiterated his warning that Washington should not be trusted.

"This does not mean that we cannot interact with the same enemy in certain situations. There is no harm in that, but do not place your hopes in them," Khamenei said, according to a transcript on his official website

Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, also cautioned Pezeshkian’s Cabinet: "Do not trust the enemy."

The 85-year-old Khamenei has occasionally called for negotiations with Washington but rejected them after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018.

In recent years, indirect talks between Iran and the US have been mediated by Oman and Qatar, two Middle Eastern partners of the United States concerning Iran. Khamenei's statement came a day after the visit of Qatar's Prime Minister to Iran.

In response to a request for comment, the US State Department told the Associated Press: "We will judge Iran’s leadership by their actions, not their words."

"We have long said that we ultimately view diplomacy as the best way to achieve an effective, sustainable solution with regard to Iran’s nuclear program," the statement read.

"However, we are far away from anything like that right now given Iran’s escalations across the board, including its nuclear escalations and its failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog. If Iran wants to demonstrate seriousness or a new approach, it should stop nuclear escalations and start meaningfully cooperating with the IAEA," the statement added.

Concerns are growing in the US regarding Iran's rapid progress in nuclear technology, with reports suggesting that it could declare itself a nuclear state by the end of 2025.