Iran emphasizes uranium enrichment as central to its goal of energy sovereignty.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has reiterated that the nation will not cease uranium enrichment, dismissing a critical demand from a proposed agreement by the United States to end the ongoing dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities.
In a speech delivered on Wednesday, Khamenei’s remarks came amidst ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran concerning a potential renewed nuclear deal. Uranium enrichment remains a pivotal issue, with the US reportedly insisting on a total suspension or significantly reduced enrichment in exchange for lifting sanctions on Iran.
“The US nuclear proposal contradicts our nation’s commitment to self-reliance and the principle of ‘We Can,'” Khamenei asserted, referencing the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death in 1989.
He emphasized that the matter of uranium enrichment is essential to Iran’s quest for energy independence. “Independence means not depending on the approval from America or similar powers,” he stated, adding that the US demands are “completely opposed” to the ideals established during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Khamenei asserted that Iran would not seek permission from Washington for its actions. “Some believe that being rational means yielding to America and capitulating to its oppressive power; that is not rationality,” he contended. “Why should the US have any say in whether Iran can enrich uranium?”
Reports from Reuters indicated that Tehran is likely to reject the latest US terms aimed at resolving the enduring nuclear impasse, citing a diplomat who described the proposal as a “non-starter” for failing to amend the US’s stringent stance on uranium enrichment or address Tehran’s interests adequately.
Iran maintains that it seeks to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, consistently denying Western allegations of aspiring to create nuclear weapons.
US envoy Steve Witkoff, who leads the American delegation in discussions with Iran, has indicated that President Joe Biden sees any continuation of Iran’s enrichment as a “red line.”
A leaked United Nations report revealed that Iran has increased its production of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium by 50% over the past three months. Although it falls short of the nearly 90% required for nuclear weapons, it remains well above the approximately 4% necessary for civilian energy production.
In response, Iran has dismissed the latest findings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), labeling them as “politically driven and filled with unfounded claims.”