TEHRAN, Apr 16 (Alliance News): Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday urged caution over renewed talks with the United States on the country’s nuclear program, saying he was “neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic” about the negotiations.
The remarks, carried by Iranian state media, appeared to temper growing public anticipation of a breakthrough following what both sides described as positive discussions in Oman last weekend. Iran and the U.S. are expected to resume talks on April 19 in Muscat.
Khamenei stressed that while initial steps of the process had been implemented, the negotiations must be approached with vigilance. “It must be followed through carefully, with red lines clearly defined for both the other side and for us. The negotiations may lead to results, or they may not,” he told lawmakers.
Public optimism has grown in Iran, driven by hopes of economic relief. The Iranian rial has appreciated by nearly 20% against the U.S. dollar in recent days, reflecting expectations that an agreement could ease international sanctions and reintegrate Iran into the global economy.
Khamenei, however, warned against placing the nation’s future entirely on the success of the talks. “Avoid linking the country’s fate to these talks,” he said.
Iran remains wary of President Donald Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term and has since issued repeated threats, including potential military action, if Iran fails to accept a new deal.
Despite decades of hostility since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, the severe economic pressures caused by reimposed U.S. sanctions have reportedly pushed Khamenei to support diplomatic engagement with Washington, albeit cautiously.
