KHAMENEI REJECTS U.S. CRITICISM ON NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT, QUESTIONS TALKS' FUTURE

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 21ST MAY 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has firmly rejected U.S. criticism of Tehran’s nuclear program, stating that Iran does not need American approval to enrich uranium. Speaking at a memorial for the late President Ebrahim Raisi, Khamenei dismissed U.S. warnings as “nonsense,” emphasizing that “no one in Iran is waiting for their permission” and that the country will continue to follow its own policies.

He also cast doubt on the effectiveness of indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations, acknowledging that similar talks occurred under Raisi’s leadership but yielded little progress. “We don’t expect much from the current ones either,” he said, reflecting skepticism about any positive outcome.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told the IRNA news agency that no final decision has been made regarding future talks. He cited Washington's “contradictory and constantly changing positions” as a factor in Tehran’s cautious review of the matter.