Iran’s Khamenei Claims US Nuclear Proposal Against National Interest

Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Wednesday asserted that the nuclear agreement proposed by the United States was “100 percent” against the nation’s interest and objected to the clause of abandoning uranium enrichment on its soil. The new nuclear proposal was presented to Iran on Saturday by Oman, which is mediating the talks between the nations.

Both nations have held five rounds of talks until now, but staunch differences remain like the ceasing of uranium enrichment and handing over its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium. 

What did Khamenei say?

Khamenei made the statements while addressing the nation during a televised speech on the death anniversary of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. 

Khamenei stated that, "Uranium enrichment is the key to our nuclear programme and the enemies have focused on the enrichment. The proposal contradicts our nation's belief in self-reliance and the principle of 'We Can'". 

"The proposal that the Americans have presented is 100% against our interests. The rude and arrogant leaders of America repeatedly demand that we should not have a nuclear programme. Who are you to decide whether Iran should have enrichment?," he added further. 

The Talks…

The talks are being held between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. 

On Monday, Iranian Minister Araqchi held discussions with Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (ITEA). The ITEA had published a report last week stating that Iran has stepped up the production of its highly enriched uranium. The reports were released ahead of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna later this month that will review and assess Iran’s nuclear activities.