Iran’s Khamenei: Cooperation with US not possible while it backs Israel, has Mideast bases

Cooperation between Iran and the United States is not possible as long as Washington continues to support Israel and to maintain military bases and interfere in the Middle East region, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says.

Khamenei’s comments come as US President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to increase pressure on Iran.

“The Americans sometimes say they would like to cooperate with Iran. Cooperation with Iran is not possible as long as the US continues to support the accursed Zionist regime, maintains military bases, and interferes in the region,” Khamenei says, according to state media.

Trump said last month that the US is prepared to make a deal with Iran when Tehran is ready to do so, saying: “The hand of friendship and cooperation [with Iran] is open.”