Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected a key demand in a United States proposal aimed at resolving a long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. In a speech delivered on Wednesday, Khamenei pledged that Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment, citing it as crucial to the country’s pursuit of energy independence.
“The US nuclear proposal contradicts our nation’s belief in self-reliance and the principle of ‘We Can’,” Khamenei said, adding that uranium enrichment remained key to Iran’s nuclear program. He emphasized that independence means not waiting for approval from America or other foreign powers, stating, “Independence means not waiting for the green light from America and the likes of America.”
Khamenei criticized the US proposal, saying it was “100 percent against” the ideals of the 1979 Islamic revolution. He questioned why the US was interfering in Iran’s nuclear program, stating, “Why are you interfering in whether Iran should have enrichment or not? You cannot have a say.” He further emphasized that Tehran would not seek Washington’s approval for its decisions, adding, “Some people think that rationality means bowing down to America and surrendering to the oppressive power; this is not rationality.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed Khamenei’s sentiments, stating that Tehran “would not abandon” the country’s scientific and nuclear rights while disavowing nuclear weapons. He accused those criticizing Iran of proliferating weapons of mass destruction and destabilizing the region with deadly weapons.
The US proposal has reportedly demanded a complete halt or low-level enrichment in exchange for the lifting of Western sanctions against Tehran. However, Iran maintains it wants to master nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and denies seeking to develop nuclear weapons. US envoy Steve Witkoff has stated that President Donald Trump opposes Tehran continuing any enrichment, calling it a “red line”.
A leaked United Nations report shows that Iran has increased production of enriched uranium near weapons-grade by 50 percent in the last three months. However, Iran has rejected the report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling it “politically motivated and repeats baseless accusations”.