Iran’s Khamenei rejects US nuclear enrichment demands

Tuesday 20 May 2025 - 16:20

By: Zahouani Ilham

Iran’s Khamenei rejects US nuclear enrichment demands

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed the United States' demands for Iran to stop uranium enrichment, calling them baseless. Speaking in a statement covered by the semi-official Mehr News Agency, Khamenei emphasized that Iran does not seek permission from other nations regarding its nuclear program. He also expressed uncertainty about the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

Since mid-April, the US and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks, mediated by Oman, focused on curbing Iran’s nuclear activities in return for lifting sanctions. However, frequent disagreements have cast doubt on the scheduled next round, reportedly planned to be held in Rome.

US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during his previous term but has pushed for new negotiations since his return to office, maintaining a hardline stance. He recently warned that the talks must progress swiftly or risk failure.

Tehran confirmed receipt of a US proposal currently under review, but Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi warned that negotiations would collapse if Washington insists on halting Iran’s uranium enrichment.

Currently, Iran enriches uranium to 60%, exceeding the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 agreement but still below weapons-grade levels. Iran insists its program is peaceful and non-negotiable, while the US maintains that any enrichment is unacceptable.

US negotiator Steve Witkoff described Iran’s enrichment as a "red line," asserting the US cannot tolerate any enrichment capacity. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated a nuclear weapons-free deal is achievable but confirmed uranium enrichment will continue regardless of any agreement