Iran’s Supreme Leader Doubts Nuclear Talks with U.S., Calls Washington’s Position “Utter Nonsense”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is studying the issue, taking into account the contradictory and constantly changing positions of the American side,” Baqaei told IRNA.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday dismissed the likelihood of progress in nuclear negotiations with the United States, sharply criticizing Washington’s stance on Iran’s uranium enrichment rights and describing current diplomatic efforts as unlikely to yield results.
“We don’t think it will lead to any outcome. We don’t know what will happen,” Khamenei said in a speech, as reported by AFP. He said attempts to deny Iran its right to enrich uranium were “a big mistake.”
Expanding on his remarks in a post on X, Khamenei stated:
“For the Americans to say, ‘We won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium,’ is utter nonsense. We aren’t waiting for anyone’s permission. The Islamic Republic has certain policies, and it will pursue them.”
He also criticized the nature of the ongoing indirect talks:“I’d like to give a reminder to the other side. The Americans who are talking in these indirect negotiations should avoid talking nonsense. For them to say, ‘We won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium,’ is utter nonsense.”
Khamenei recalled similar indirect negotiations that took place during the presidency of the late Ebrahim Raisi, which he said ended without results:
“Indirect negotiations took place during Martyr Raisi's term, similar to what’s happening now. Needless to say, there was no result. We don’t think these negotiations will yield results now either.”
He further criticized U.S. motives for pushing direct talks:“The reason the U.S. insists so much on direct negotiations is to claim that they’ve been able to bring Iran to the negotiating table using threats, inducements, and tricks. Martyr Raisi didn’t allow that.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that the time and place for the next round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks have not yet been determined. Speaking to the state-run IRNA news agency, Baqaei noted:
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is studying the issue, taking into account the contradictory and constantly changing positions of the American side.”
He emphasized that a final decision has not been made regarding resuming the negotiations, reflecting Iran’s cautious approach amid what it sees as an unstable and inconsistent U.S. diplomatic posture.
Together, Khamenei’s pointed rebuke and the Foreign Ministry’s measured statements highlight a growing skepticism in Tehran over the viability and sincerity of renewed nuclear diplomacy with Washington.
