1. Khamenei Condemns US Demands, Declares Iran’s Sovereignty
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has strongly rejected US demands that Iran halt its uranium enrichment program, calling them “nonsense.” In a speech reported by Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Khamenei emphasized that “no one [in Iran] is waiting for others’ permission” to pursue nuclear development. He expressed skepticism about the ongoing talks, stating uncertainty over whether the negotiations would ultimately yield results.
Khamenei’s remarks come at a critical moment as the United States and Iran engage in delicate diplomacy mediated by Oman. The two sides have conducted four rounds of indirect talks since mid-April, aiming to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
2. Negotiations Falter Over Enrichment ‘Red Lines’
The talks have hit a serious snag over the issue of uranium enrichment. While the US has insisted that Iran must cease domestic enrichment altogether, Iranian officials maintain that the program is peaceful and “non-negotiable.” Iran is currently enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, well above the 3.67 percent cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal, though still below weapons-grade levels.
US negotiator Steve Witkoff has described Iran’s enrichment as a “red line,” asserting that the US “cannot allow even 1 percent of an enrichment capability.” In contrast, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi warned that the talks would fail if the US continued pressing for what Iran views as unreasonable limitations on its sovereignty.
3. Trump’s Return and the Revival of ‘Maximum Pressure’
Former US President Donald Trump, now back in office as of January, has reintroduced his “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran, warning that time is running out for diplomacy. Last week, Trump bluntly stated that if talks did not progress quickly, “something bad is going to happen.”
Despite the tough rhetoric, Iran has confirmed that it is reviewing a new US proposal. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has suggested that a deal “within reach” could assure the world Iran will not develop nuclear weapons. However, he emphasized that uranium enrichment would continue “with or without a deal.”
The latest round of talks, originally scheduled to take place in Rome this weekend, now hangs in the balance. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the path forward remains uncertain—and the stakes for regional and global security are high.
