Theran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denounced U.S. demands in the ongoing nuclear negotiations, labeling them “excessive and outrageous,” according to state media. His remarks reflect growing skepticism within Tehran about the possibility of reaching a new agreement with Washington.
“I don’t think nuclear talks with the U.S. will bring results. I don’t know what will happen,” Khamenei said, stressing that American negotiators should refrain from making “nonsense” demands. The comments come after four rounds of negotiations and indicate Tehran’s deepening doubts over the prospects of success.
While speculation mounts about a potential fifth round of discussions in Rome, Iranian officials remain cautious. “A date has been suggested but we have not yet accepted it,” said Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in an interview with state media.
Araqchi emphasized the challenges posed by U.S. positions in the negotiations, stating, “We are witnessing positions on the U.S. side that do not go along with any logic and are creating problems for the negotiations. That’s why we have not determined the next round of talks, we are reviewing the matter and hope logic will prevail.”
A key sticking point in the talks is Iran’s right to enrich uranium. While the U.S. views domestic enrichment as a potential pathway to developing nuclear weapons, Tehran insists its nuclear program is purely peaceful. Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi warned that continued pressure on this issue could derail the talks entirely. He noted that any agreement requiring Tehran to halt enrichment would be unacceptable.
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Further tensions have arisen from statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who last week urged Iran to act swiftly, saying, “move quickly or something bad is going to happen.” Tehran, however, has denied receiving any formal written proposal from the U.S. administration.
During his first term in office, Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement between Iran and major world powers that imposed strict limits on Tehran’s enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The Trump administration not only pulled out of the deal but also reinstated sweeping sanctions, prompting Iran to ramp up its uranium enrichment activities in response.
As both sides hold firm to opposing positions, the path toward a renewed nuclear deal appears increasingly uncertain.
