Senior cleric says Iran-US talks will remain a 'graveyard dream'

A member of Iran's Assembly of Experts has condemned the idea of potential talks with the US, stressing that resistance against Washington is a core principle of the Islamic Republic.

"Like Gaza, we too must resist the US," Ahmad Khatami, who also serves as Tehran's interim Friday prayer leader, said on Saturday while speaking at a mosque in Kashan, central Iran.

"I am confident that as long as the people stand firm, they will take the dream of negotiating with the US to their graves," the ultra conservative cleric added.

The US and Iran have not had diplomatic ties since 1980 and in recent days, leaders at Friday prayers across Iran have delivered strong rebukes of US policies.

Earlier, Khatami said that the Islamic Republic's founder Ruhollah Khomeini had labeled the US as the "Great Satan," a sentiment which he said was consistently reaffirmed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Khatami argued that the primary aim of the US in seeking talks was "a means to confront the Revolution.”

Ahmad Alamolhoda, Mashhad's hardline Friday prayer leader, has also criticized those advocating for dialogue with the West.

While Iranian hardliners reject overtures from Washington, moderate voices within the country have pointed to potential openings under Trump’s renewed tenure.