TEHRAN – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday dismissed a US proposal for a nuclear deal as “100% against” Iran’s national interests, asserting that Tehran will not compromise on its uranium enrichment program.
In a televised address, Khamenei emphasized that “independence means not waiting for America’s approval,” rejecting Washington’s stance that Iran should halt enrichment. The remarks come amid stalled negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which the US abandoned in 2018 under President Donald Trump.
Iran recently received a US proposal via Omani mediators, but details remain undisclosed. Khamenei insisted enrichment is “key” to Iran’s nuclear energy program, stating: “If we can’t produce fuel domestically, we’d be at America’s mercy.”
The US has opposed Iran’s enrichment activities, but Tehran argues it has the right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). With talks deadlocked, tensions over Iran’s nuclear program continue to escalate.