DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed criticism towards a preliminary proposal from the United States regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, but notably refrained from dismissing the prospect of reaching an agreement with Washington altogether.
His comments, made on Wednesday, highlight Iran’s insistence on its right to enrich uranium, a critical point in the ongoing discussions that have seen heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. over the latter’s demands.
U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, have consistently sought assurance from Iran that it would cease uranium enrichment. However, it remains uncertain just how prominently these demands were featured in U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s initial proposal.
Khamenei’s statements come amidst a backdrop of deep economic sanctions crippling Iran’s economy, emphasizing the Iranian leadership’s perception of negotiations as vital for alleviating these financial pressures.
While addressing the nation at the mausoleum of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader stated, “If we had 100 nuclear power plants while not having enrichment, they are not usable for us.”
He further reinforced his stance by saying, “If we do not have enrichment, then we should extend our hand (begging) to the U.S.”
The comments are particularly significant, considering that Khamenei did not specify any desired levels of uranium enrichment during the speech. Currently, Iran is enriching uranium up to 60%, which is a short technical step from achieving weapons-grade capabilities.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is closely involved in the negotiations, indicated that Iran would soon respond to the U.S. proposal.
Following Khamenei’s remarks, which often reflect the delicate balance between the Iranian reformists who favor dialogue and the hardliners within Iran’s political framework, it seems the regime is weighing the options in light of both domestic and international pressures.
Recently, Khamenei has suggested that engaging with the U.S. is not without merit, although he later tempered this by asserting that negotiations with Washington are “not intelligent, wise or honorable.”
The comments during the anniversary of Khomeini’s death served as an avenue for Khamenei to reiterate his skepticism about the U.S. approach, labeling it as “100% against the idea of ‘we can,’” while drawing from an Iranian governmental slogan.
He described U.S. motivations as seeking to dismantle Iran’s nuclear industry entirely, stating, “The impolite and insolent American leaders keep repeating this demand with different wordings.”
Khamenei’s long-standing rhetoric aims to reinforce Iran’s resolve in the face of external pressures and threats, asserting that current American and Zionist leaders “can’t do a damn thing about this.”
While some countries with nuclear capabilities source their uranium supplies externally, analysts suggest Iran uses its nuclear program as leverage in negotiations for easing sanctions imposed by Western powers.
As discussions continue, the details surrounding the U.S. proposal remain vague following several rounds of talks.
Reports have suggested a potential nuclear consortium in which a coalition could manage uranium enrichment for both Iran and nearby states, although whether Iran would need to halt its enrichment program entirely is still in question.
News sources have indicated that Iran may be permitted to enrich uranium up to 3% purity for a certain period, creating further complexities in the negotiations.
Should the ongoing talks face an impasse, there are concerns that tensions in an already volatile Middle East could escalate, particularly in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Iran’s struggling economy might worsen significantly, potentially igniting further unrest within the country.
This scenario could also trigger Israel or the U.S. to execute threatened airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while Iran might abandon its cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, hastening its pursuit of nuclear weapon capabilities.
The intricacies of these discussions and the rising stakes could have profound implications for regional stability and international relations in the future.
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