Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran

Tehran, May 20: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday rejected US demands to halt uranium enrichment, calling them ‘nonsense’ amid faltering nuclear negotiations. “No one in Iran is waiting for others’ permission,” he said, casting doubt on whether ongoing talks would yield results.

Since mid-April, Iran and the US have held four rounds of Omani-mediated discussions aiming to revive a nuclear deal in exchange for sanctions relief. However, tensions remain high, especially with Washington insisting Iran must stop domestic uranium enrichment a key sticking point.

The US has warned that time is running out. President Trump, who pulled out of the 2015 nuclear agreement during his earlier term, has returned with a tougher stance, warning last week that talks must ‘move quickly or something bad is going to happen.’

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60%, well above the 2015 deal’s 3.67% limit but below weapons-grade level. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful and non-negotiable.

Despite the deadlock, Iran’s foreign minister said a deal ‘within reach’ could still prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons but confirmed uranium enrichment would continue “with or without a deal.”