Khamenei rejects U.S. nuclear deal: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has unequivocally dismissed a recent U.S. proposal aimed at settling the protracted conflict over the country’s nuclear ambitions, affirming that Tehran will persist with its uranium enrichment efforts.
At a ceremony on Wednesday marking the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death, the founder of the Islamic Republic, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasized that uranium enrichment is a vital element of Iran’s pursuit of energy autonomy and a key pillar of its national sovereignty.
“The American nuclear offer stands in opposition to our nation’s commitment to self-reliance and the belief that ‘We Can,’” Khamenei declared. “True independence means not relying on a go-ahead from America or any other global power.”
Iran Commits to Uranium Enrichment Despite U.S. Sanctions and IAEA Concerns
The Biden administration is reportedly pressuring Iran to cease or significantly reduce uranium enrichment in return for easing economic sanctions. However, this demand remains a major obstacle in ongoing negotiations over a potential revival of the nuclear agreement.
Rejecting this condition outright, Khamenei said Iran would not base its internal policies on foreign expectations. “Some interpret wisdom as yielding to American dominance — this is not wisdom,” he said.
He further criticized the proposal as fundamentally incompatible with the principles of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. “Who gave you the authority to decide if Iran should enrich uranium or not?” he asked. “Your interference is unacceptable.”
According to a Reuters report earlier this week, Iran is likely to turn down the most recent U.S. plan. A diplomat cited in the report labeled the offer a “non-starter” that fails to adequately recognize or respect Tehran’s priorities.
Iran has consistently claimed that its nuclear program is peaceful, aimed at technological advancement and energy production. Western nations, however, remain skeptical, suspecting that Iran is covertly pursuing the capability to produce nuclear weapons — a charge Tehran denies.
U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff, who is leading the talks with Iran, reiterated that President Donald Trump sees any continuation of enrichment by Iran as a non-negotiable issue — a “red line.”
Meanwhile, a leaked document from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that Iran has ramped up its production of enriched uranium by 50 percent in recent months. Although the levels are still below the 90 percent threshold needed for nuclear arms, they significantly exceed the 4 percent typically used for civilian energy generation.
Tehran has rejected the IAEA’s conclusions, accusing the agency of bias and of repeating unfounded allegations driven by political agendas
