The Voice News: Iran has rejected a U.S. proposal that called for the termination of its uranium enrichment program. On Wednesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, “This proposal from the United States goes completely against the interests of our country.” He outright rejected this central demand from the U.S. in several rounds of negotiations with Iran.
Following mediation by Oman, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in discussions. Subsequently, last Saturday, the United States presented a new proposal to Tehran.
Despite five rounds of talks, several serious unresolved issues remain between the two sides. Key among them are Iran’s insistence on continuing its uranium enrichment program and its outright refusal to send its stockpiled high-grade uranium abroad.
In Iran, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holds the ultimate authority on all matters of the state. While he did not announce a formal end to negotiations over uranium enrichment with the United States, he strongly criticized the American proposal. He stated, “This proposal is against our national self-confidence and contradicts our ‘We Can Too’ doctrine.”
In a televised address marking the death anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Khamenei said, “Uranium enrichment is the cornerstone of our nuclear program, and that is exactly what the enemies are targeting.”
“The American proposal is completely contrary to our interests… The arrogant and egotistical American leaders have repeatedly said that we should not have a nuclear program. Who are they to decide whether Iran can enrich uranium or not?” questioned Khamenei.
Tehran has consistently claimed it seeks to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. However, Western powers have alleged that Iran is aiming to develop nuclear weapons.
After returning to the White House this January, Trump has once again adopted the “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran. This includes stricter sanctions and threats of bombing if negotiations fail.
During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal signed with Iran and reimposed economic sanctions. In response, Iran exceeded the agreement’s limits and significantly expanded uranium enrichment.
Israel, which considers Iran’s nuclear program a threat to its existence, has stated it will strike Tehran’s nuclear facilities to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state. In return, Iran has vowed retaliatory attacks against such threats.
