Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei says US officials threatened military action against Tehran

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has claimed two American officials threatened to take military action against his country alongside the nuclear deal talks.

Reiterating that Iran will not succumb to US threats, the leader said it would not press ahead with the discussions with Western powers under the shadow of threat.

"Recently two US officials threatened to take military action against Iran. What does negotiation mean under the shadow of threat," Khamenei was quoted as saying by the country's state-run media.

Nevertheless, Khamenei did not give further details about the alleged military threat during his address to a gathering in Tehran.

"Our negotiators should continue the talks with respect to our redlines. They should not accept any imposition, humiliation, and threat. Holding nuclear talks [with P5+1 powers] under shadow of threat is unacceptable for Iran."

"The United States is no less in need of these talks than Iran."

Iran and the P5+1 powers – the US, Britain, China, France, Russia, and Germany – are poised to resume negotiations over Tehran's contentious nuclear programme on 12 May in Vienna, Switzerland. Both sides are aiming to reach a comprehensive and permanent agreement before the end of June.