Tehran: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has firmly dismissed a recent U.S. proposal that sought to limit Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, calling the demand a violation of Iran’s national sovereignty and revolutionary values.
Speaking on Wednesday during a ceremony marking the 1989 death anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei stated that uranium enrichment is central to Iran’s vision of energy and scientific self-sufficiency.
"The American nuclear proposal stands in direct opposition to our principles of self-reliance and the enduring spirit of the Islamic Revolution," Khamenei said. “Independence means not awaiting approval from the U.S. or its allies. We will never ask Washington’s permission to make decisions about our future.”
His remarks come amid faltering nuclear negotiations, with uranium enrichment remaining a major point of contention. The United States is reportedly pushing for a complete cessation or substantial reduction in Iran’s enrichment activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions—an offer Tehran has so far rebuffed.
Khamenei criticized what he described as Western interference, stating, “Some believe rationality means surrendering to American pressure. This is not rational. Why should you decide whether we can enrich uranium?”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed the Supreme Leader’s stance on Tuesday, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic would not relinquish its nuclear and scientific rights. While reaffirming Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear development, he accused Western powers of hypocrisy, saying, “Those who accuse Iran are themselves proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, fueling regional instability.”
Washington has maintained its firm stance on the issue. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff reiterated that President Donald Trump views any form of uranium enrichment by Iran as unacceptable, describing it as a red line for the administration.
Meanwhile, a recent leak from the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed a 50 percent increase in Iran’s production of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels over the past three months—still below the 90 percent required for nuclear weapons but significantly above levels needed for civilian power use.
Iran has rejected the IAEA’s findings, calling the report politically motivated and dismissing its allegations as unfounded.
The nuclear impasse comes at a time of growing internal and regional pressures on Tehran, including economic turmoil due to a depreciating rial, losses among its regional proxy groups in confrontations with Israel, and fears of a possible Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.
With no breakthrough in sight, the risk of further escalation looms over a Middle East already inflamed by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
