Khamenei Rejects U.S. Nuclear Deal Terms, Vows Iran Will Continue Uranium Enrichment
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has firmly rejected a key U.S. demand in ongoing nuclear negotiations, pledging that Iran will not halt its uranium enrichment activities.
In a speech delivered Wednesday during a ceremony commemorating the 1989 death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei said Tehran would not compromise its nuclear program under foreign pressure.
“The U.S. nuclear proposal contradicts our nation’s belief in self-reliance and the principle of ‘We Can,’” Khamenei declared. “Independence means not waiting for the green light from America or similar powers.”
At the heart of the dispute is Washington’s insistence that Iran either cease enrichment entirely or reduce it to minimal levels in return for relief from sanctions. Khamenei dismissed this as incompatible with the goals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and said Iran would not seek U.S. approval for its decisions.
“Some think rationality means surrendering to America’s power. That is not rationality,” he said. “Why are you interfering in whether Iran should enrich uranium? You have no right to dictate that.”
Khamenei’s remarks echoed those of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who earlier this week reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to its scientific and nuclear rights, while insisting the country does not seek nuclear weapons.
“Those who accuse Iran of seeking weapons are themselves proliferating weapons of mass destruction and destabilizing the region,” Pezeshkian said.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Iran is expected to reject the latest U.S. nuclear proposal, citing unnamed diplomats who described it as a “non-starter” that fails to accommodate Tehran’s interests, especially regarding uranium enrichment.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, head of the American delegation, has reiterated that President Donald Trump’s administration will not accept any continued enrichment by Iran, calling it a “red line.”
A leaked United Nations report recently revealed that Iran has increased its stockpile of enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels by 50% in the past three months. While still below the 90% purity required for nuclear weapons, the enrichment level remains well above the 4% typically used for civilian power generation.
Iran rejected the IAEA report as “politically motivated” and accused the agency of repeating baseless claims.
The standoff over Iran’s nuclear program comes amid rising instability in the region. Iran is facing a weakening currency, battlefield losses among regional militia allies, and growing fears of a possible Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities.
With input from Al Jazeera, Reuters
