Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized U.S. demands for Tehran to halt uranium enrichment, calling them “excessive and outrageous.” His remarks cast doubt on the prospects of reaching a new nuclear deal.
“I don’t think nuclear talks with the U.S. will bring results,” Khamenei said, expressing skepticism about the ongoing negotiations. He warned Washington to avoid making “nonsense” demands, referring to the four rounds of talks held so far.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that while a fifth round of talks had been proposed, Iran had not agreed to the date. “We are witnessing U.S. positions that defy logic and complicate negotiations,” Araqchi said, adding that Iran was still reviewing the matter.
The talks are at an impasse due to disagreement over uranium enrichment, which the U.S. sees as a potential route to nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged Iran to act quickly on a deal, warning of severe consequences if negotiations fail. Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term, has continued to press Iran, even as Tehran escalated its uranium enrichment activities in response to U.S. sanctions.
