The statement from Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Monday indicates that Tehran is closing the door to any possible talks with the United States.
"If they (the US) completely break with the Zionist regime (Israeli government), withdraw from military bases here and stop interfering (in developments in the region), we can consider cooperation," Khamenei said at a meeting with students in Tehran.
The move was made on the anniversary of the Iranian takeover of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, when hostages were taken.
The relationship between the two countries has been deeply infected since then, and the US actively participated in bombing suspected nuclear energy facilities in Iran during the war between Israel and Iran last year. The US also imposes extensive sanctions on Iran, partly due to suspicions that the country is trying to develop nuclear weapons.
The Ayatollah's categorical statement followed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's tentative approach to negotiations with the United States on Sunday, with the caveat that Iran's military missile program would not be included in the negotiations.
Khamenei's tone was harsher:
The arrogant nature of the United States demands nothing less than total submission.
