Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated that his country will not cooperate with the United States unless Washington withdraws its support for Israel and ceases its intervention in the Middle East. Speaking at a student gathering in Tehran on November 3, Khamenei said that if the U.S. stops backing Israel, removes its military bases from the region, and ends its interference in regional affairs, then Iran could consider cooperation. He accused the United States of arrogance and of only understanding submission. The remarks came during an event marking the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, which followed the overthrow of the Western-backed Shah. Relations between Iran and the U.S. have worsened after Israel’s airstrikes in June that triggered a brief regional war involving both nations. The conflict left hundreds dead and disrupted ongoing nuclear negotiations. Although a ceasefire was later brokered through Qatar, tensions remain high. Khamenei emphasized that Iran’s security depends on its strength and the deterrence it poses to enemies. Since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has faced mounting sanctions and economic hardships.