Iran’s Khamenei rejects US nuclear proposal

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei firmly rejected a US-backed proposal for a nuclear deal on Wednesday, saying it undermines the country’s national interests and violates the core principles of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Speaking in a televised address, Khamenei criticized the US for attempting to dictate terms to Tehran regarding its nuclear program. “Independence means not waiting for the green light from America and the likes of America,” he said, in a clear rebuke of Western influence on Iranian policy. He described the US offer as “100 percent against” the ideals on which the Islamic Republic was founded.

Khamenei also dismissed American objections to Iran’s uranium enrichment, stressing that Washington had no authority to interfere. “Why are you interfering in whether Iran should have enrichment or not? You cannot have a say,” he said.

His comments suggest that any progress on renewed negotiations may be unlikely without significant shifts in diplomatic positioning.