"The Americans insist we negotiate with them on regional issues, especially on Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday to commanders of the elite Republican Guards force in an address that was published on his official website.
The supreme leader denounced Washington’s intentions in interfering in the region’s affairs.
"What is their main goal for requesting these talks? They have no aim but to prevent the presence in the region of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the main factor of America's failures," said Khamenei.
Among those in attendance for Khamenei’s speech were Major Generals Mohammad Ali Jafari, the Revolutionary Guards chief, and Qassem Suleimani, head of its foreign operations wing, the Quds Force.
Tehran and Washington have not had diplomatic relations since 1980 when the Islamic revolution took place overthrowing the Shah but relations have been thawing following the nuclear deal and easing of sanctions on Iran.
Khamenei emphasized that the US continues to use military power in order to intimidate and muscle foreign players who threaten their interests.
"In past years, some officials have said the removal of military threat and war were due to certain measures, but it's not true," he said. "The sole factor of removing military threats has been and will remain military and defence power and the creation of fear in the enemy."
