Iran Supreme Leader defies US nuclear demands, says enrichment ‘none of your business’

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has strongly rejected the U.S.’s most recent proposal, which reportedly included a call for zero uranium enrichment. Khamenei stated that this proposal was “100%” against Tehran’s interests. The issue of whether the U.S. would push for a complete ban on uranium enrichment came into question this week after reports suggested a U.S. proposal allowed for “low levels” of enrichment.

President Donald Trump appeared to contradict these reports in a social media post, and on Wednesday, Khamenei expressed his disapproval of the proposal, stating that it goes against the spirit of the negotiations. While he did not comment directly on the specifics of the proposal, Khamenei emphasized that a nuclear industry without enrichment capabilities would render Iran dependent on other countries for fuel, which is unacceptable for Tehran.

The proposal also included a call for a regional coalition for enrichment that could provide Iran with the uranium it needs for civilian projects. However, Khamenei pointed out that this would mean Iran would have to rely on other countries for its nuclear fuel, which goes against the country’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in nuclear energy production.

Iranian authorities have stated that while they are not opposed to being part of a coalition for enrichment, it would not serve as a sufficient substitute for Iran’s own enrichment capabilities. Iran has emphasized that its nuclear development is a source of national pride and that it has the capability to produce nuclear fuel from start to finish.

Khamenei reiterated Iran’s stance that it does not intend to develop nuclear weapons, despite concerns raised by international security officials. He criticized the U.S. for interfering in Iran’s nuclear program and questioned why the U.S. is dictating whether Iran should have uranium enrichment or a nuclear industry.

The Iranian leader’s comments underscore the challenges facing the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over the nuclear deal. The U.S. has urged Iran to accept the deal, but Tehran remains firm in its position on uranium enrichment. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for regional security and the future of Iran’s nuclear program.