Overview

• In Aug. 24 remarks, Iran’s supreme leader called relations with the United States “unsolvable” and rejected direct negotiations.
• He defended anti-U.S. slogans and urged unity, accusing “agents of America and the Zionist regime” of trying to sow division.
• Tehran halted nuclear talks with Washington after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during June’s 12-day war.
• Britain, France and Germany warned they may trigger UN “snapback” sanctions if Tehran does not reengage, with talks set for Aug. 26.
• Reformist figures have floated capping enrichment near 20 percent to defuse the crisis, a proposal facing pushback from Khamenei and hardliners; he also alleged an opposition Brussels meeting was part of a U.S. plot.