Speaking His Piece on Uranium Enrichment: Iran's Supreme Leader Chamenei Addresses the US
Khamenei, Iran's authority figure, maintains the position that there's no American presence in terms of uranium enrichment activities.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link **Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Chamenei, has categorically denied any need for US intervention in Iran's uranium enrichment. "Why are you meddling in our business about whether we should enrich uranium or not?" Chamenei boldly stated during a broadcast on state television, addressing the US. Chamenei emphasized Iran's independence by saying, "We don't dance to the US's tune."
Chamenei dismissed the US proposal for settling the nuclear row between Washington and Tehran, stating that it adversely affects Iran's national interests. "The US proposal is a 100% no-go," Chamenei declared. This remark refers to the revolutionary slogan, "We Can," which symbolizes the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Since mid-April, the U.S. and Iran have resumed discussions on a potential new nuclear agreement. The preliminary rounds of talks have thus far yielded no results. Uranium enrichment remains a contentious issue in these negotiations. On a recent Saturday, Washington submitted a negotiating proposal to Tehran via Oman.
According to the news portal Axios, the latest US proposal would permit limited uranium enrichment at low levels on Iranian soil. However, this contradicts assertions by US President Donald Trump, who reportedly stated that the U.S. would forbid any uranium enrichment under a possible nuclear deal.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtchi of Iran subsequently stated on Tuesday that Iran would not entertain a nuclear agreement that forbids uranium enrichment for peaceful civilian use. "Uranium enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," Araghtchi emphasized.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
Insights:
Current Status of Negotiations:
The latest phase of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran involve a proposal by the U.S., allowing limited low-level uranium enrichment in Iran for an undetermined period. This proposal is part of a broader attempt to reach a new nuclear deal, which also includes the formation of a nuclear consortium in the Persian Gulf[1][2][3].
U.S. Proposal:
The US proposal, as publicized by Axios, contradicts the declarations of US officials, who have consistently maintained that Iran should not enrich uranium and must dismantle its nuclear facilities. This proposal might face resistance from U.S. allies, like Israel, and certain lawmakers[2].
Iranian Position:
Iran has consistently stated that it will not accept any deal that bans uranium enrichment for peaceful civilian purposes. Iranian officials have expressed some openness to a regional nuclear consortium, but only with enrichment facilities situated on Iranian soil[3]. For instance, the Kish or Gheshm islands in the Persian Gulf are potential locations under consideration for the consortium.
Positions of Key Figures:
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: As the Supreme Leader of Iran, Khamenei plays a significant role in shaping Iran's nuclear policy. Although reports suggest that Khamenei rejected the US proposal, the finer details of his stance on the latest offer remain undisclosed[3]. Generally, Khamenei advocates for Iran's right to engage in peaceful nuclear activities, including enrichment.
- Abbas Araghtchi: Currently, there is no recent information available on specific stances of Abbas Araghtchi, who was previously involved in Iran's nuclear negotiations. Reports concentrate more on the positions of Iranian officials and the dynamics of the negotiations rather than specific statements from him.
- Why does Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, protest the United States' intervention in Iran's uranium enrichment policy-and-legislation, as he stated, "Why are you meddling in our business about whether we should enrich uranium or not?" during his broadcast on state television, directly addressing the US?
- General news highlights Iran's firm stance on their right to speak in the matter of uranium enrichment, as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtchi stresses, "Uranium enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," a position echoed by the chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who dismissed the US proposal regarding the nuclear row between Washington and Tehran, refusing any deal that bans uranium enrichment for peaceful civilian use.
