Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that the current indirect nuclear talks with the United States are unlikely to succeed as he refused Washington's demands for Iran to halt uranium enrichment.
"Indirect negotiations took place (under Raisi) as well—just like now—but without results,” Khamenei said during a memorial ceremony for the late president and others killed in a helicopter crash last May. “We do not think it would yield results now either. We do not know what will happen.”
Turning to US calls for zero uranium enrichment, Khamenei said: “Since negotiations have come up, I want to give a warning to the opposing side. The American side that engages in these indirect talks and have discussions, should try not to spout nonsense.
"Saying things like 'we won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium' is way out of line. No one is waiting for anyone’s permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policy, its own approach, and it will continue to pursue it."
US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East on Sunday said Washington will not accept any level of uranium enrichment in a potential agreement with Tehran.
“We cannot allow even one percent of an enrichment capability,” Steven Witkoff told ABC News. “Everything begins from our standpoint with a deal that does not include enrichment. We cannot have that.”
Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful and Khamenei said that he would explain "at a later date" why the issue of enrichment is such a key focus of the talks, leaving the issue open.
On Monday, the United Arab Emirates-based The National cited an Iranian official as saying that Iran had not accepted Oman's invitation for a fifth round of talks with the US due to take place in Rome.
The American officials' insistence on "zero enrichment" has left Iran uncertain about the usefulness of more talks, the report said.
"Iran does not want to have another round of talks and them to fail", the official was quoted as saying. "With zero enrichment, we don't have a deal."
Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to 60% U-235, a level that causes "serious concern," according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The IAEA has consistently maintained that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to this level, which is a short technical step from weapons-grade 90% fissile material.
Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had increased to 275 kg, enough to theoretically make about half a dozen weapons if Iran further enriches the uranium.
Earlier in the day before Khamenei's speech, deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran has received a proposal for the next round of indirect negotiations with the United States.
“We have received a proposal about the next round of negotiations with the US, and it is under review,” Gharibabadi told state media without providing further details.
