‘Will not negotiate’: Iran Forms Interim Leadership, Rules Out Talks With Washington

Tensions in West Asia escalated following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Israeli and US strikes on Saturday, with senior Iranian official Ali Larijani on Monday firmly rejecting reports that Tehran would resume negotiations with Washington.

Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, responded to an Al Jazeera Breaking report which, citing the Wall Street Journal, claimed that he was set to resume talks with the United States via Oman as an intermediary.

Al Jazeera in its post had reported, "Wall Street Journal on officials: Larijani's initiative to resume talks with Washington submitted through intermediaries from the Sultanate of Oman".

Dismissing the suggestion, Larijani issued a series of sharp remarks targeting US President Donald Trump and accused him of plunging the region into chaos while hinting at a rise in American troop casualties.

He further criticised the United States for pursuing an "Israel-first" agenda and underlined that Iran did not initiate the aggression.

How Did Ali Larijani Accuse the US of Turning “America First” Into “Israel First”?

"With his delusional actions, he turned his self-made "America First" slogan into "Israel First" and sacrificed American soldiers for Israel's power-hungry ambitions... 1/2 ...and with new fabrications, it is once again imposing the cost of assassinating its own character on American soldiers and families. Today, the Iranian nation is defending itself. The armed forces of Iran did not initiate the aggression. 2/2"

Iranian state media IRNA reported that the Provisional Leadership Council of Iran held its second meeting on Monday in the presence of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi.

The council was formed shortly after Khamenei and top security officials were killed in ongoing US and Israeli attacks on Iran, carried out under Operation Epic Fury or Roaring Lion.

The interim body, which includes President Pezeshkian, will oversee the country until a new supreme leader is elected. Iranian state media, as cited by Al Jazeera, said at least 201 people have been killed in the attacks across 24 provinces.

How Did Iran Respond to the US-Israel Strikes With Retaliatory Drone and Missile Attacks?

Following the strikes, Iran launched a wave of retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting multiple Arab countries in the region.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump also addressed the Iranian public after the US and Israeli attacks began, calling on them to topple the government.

"This will probably be your only chance for generations," he said.

In Washington, the US Department of State announced that both chambers of Congress will be briefed on the ongoing conflict involving Iran on March 3.

Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine will address lawmakers on Tuesday.

"Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth, Director Ratcliffe, and Chairman Caine will brief the full membership of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, March 3," Johnson said.

He added that on Sunday local time, the Department of War had briefed bipartisan staff members of several national security committees in both chambers for over 90 minutes regarding the recent military action in Iran.

According to The Hill, citing a source familiar with the matter, Rubio and Ratcliffe are also set to brief the so-called "Gang of Eight" on Monday.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a post on X that the group had been "briefed in detail earlier this week" about the possibility that military action could become necessary to safeguard American troops and citizens in Iran.

What Is the Significance of the “Gang of Eight” Briefing on the Iran Military Action?

"The Gang of 8 was briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran. I received updates from Secretary Rubio thereafter, and I will remain in close contact with the President and the Department of War as this operation proceeds," Johnson said.

The "Gang of Eight" comprises US House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Tom Cotton and ranking member Mark Warner, along with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Rick Crawford and ranking member Jim Himes.

(With inputs from ANI)