Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed U.S. demands for Tehran to halt uranium enrichment, labeling them “nonsense” and casting doubt on the future of nuclear negotiations between the two countries.
“Statements like ‘We will not allow Iran to enrich uranium’ are nonsense. No one in Iran is waiting for others’ permission,” Khamenei said in a speech reported by Mehr News Agency. He also expressed uncertainty over whether the ongoing talks would yield any results.
Since mid-April, Iran and the United States have engaged in four rounds of talks mediated by Oman, aiming to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for easing sanctions. However, unresolved issues continue to threaten the next round of talks, which are expected to be held in Rome.
The U.S., under President Donald Trump, previously withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement—known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—and reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. Trump recently warned that the talks must “move quickly or something bad is going to happen.”
Tehran has acknowledged receiving a new U.S. proposal, but Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi warned the negotiations could collapse if Washington insists on a complete halt to Iran’s domestic uranium enrichment program.
