Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday publicly rejected talks with the United States, even as senior Iranian diplomats signaled readiness to meet President Donald Trump’s team to discuss a ceasefire with Israel and nuclear de-escalation.

Khamenei’s Defiance Clashes With Diplomatic Underpinnings

Speaking from a bunker in a televised address, Khamenei declared that “they cannot impose either war or peace on the Islamic Republic of Iran,” vowing resistance to both pressure and negotiations. He warned that if the United States attacks, it “without doubt will face irreparable harm.”

Despite this hardline stance, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official—speaking anonymously—said Iran is willing to accept President Trump’s proposal for a meeting with either special envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly supports such a dialogue, but only if Israel halts its ongoing aerial campaign.

Shadow of War Halts Earlier Diplomatic Progress

Before Israel launched strikes last Friday aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the U.S. and Iran were engaged in indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman. Written proposals had been exchanged, though both sides remained far apart. The Israeli offensive, beginning just two days before a planned Araghchi-Witkoff meeting, derailed the process.

Mr. Netanyahu has continued lobbying Trump to directly join the war, asking for the use of U.S. bunker-buster munitions to target Iran’s deep underground sites. Trump has mused about airstrikes—and even targeting Khamenei himself—but stated Wednesday that “it is not too late for diplomacy.”

Regional and Global Powers Mobilize

As fears mount of a broader regional war, foreign ministers from Türkiye, European nations, and Arab states have begun shuttle diplomacy to prevent further escalation. Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, which is now scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, daily life in Iran is far from stable. Despite Khamenei’s remarks that “ordinary life” continues, tens of thousands have fled Tehran amid fears of further bombings, while access to water, food, and medical aid continues to deteriorate.