In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, voiced criticism over a preliminary proposal from the United States concerning Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. While he issued a firm reminder of Iran’s unwillingness to cease uranium enrichment, Khamenei did not completely dismiss the potential for an agreement with Washington.
Khamenei’s statements added more depth to Tehran’s established stance, emphasizing their refusal to abandon uranium enrichment in any agreement with the U.S. This stance is a point of contention that American officials, including President Donald Trump, have continuously highlighted. However, it remains uncertain how prominently U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff’s initial proposal addressed this issue.
Crucially, Khamenei refrained from rejecting talks outright, acknowledging their significance for alleviating some of the heavy economic sanctions imposed on Iran. Notably, he also did not demand a specific level of uranium enrichment, despite Iran currently enriching uranium up to 60%—a short technical step from weapon-grade levels.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is spearheading talks with Witkoff, indicated that Tehran will soon deliver its response to the U.S., with Khamenei’s speech potentially hinting at Iran’s stance. Speaking at the mausoleum of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei voiced that having nuclear power plants without the capability of enrichment renders them useless to Iran, suggesting the necessity of this capability.
In his latest remarks, the 86-year-old leader balanced the demands of reformists eager for dialogue with the U.S. against hardline factions within Iran, like the Revolutionary Guard. Last August, Khamenei had signaled an openness to dialogue, describing it as “no harm” in negotiating with the “enemy.” Yet he later argued against such talks, deeming them neither wise nor honorable, especially after Trump’s proposal for nuclear negotiations.
Commemorating the anniversary of Khomeini’s death, Khamenei broached Witkoff’s proposal, perceiving it as entirely opposed to the Iranian ethos of ‘we can.’ He accused the U.S. of persistently attempting to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In familiar rhetoric, Khamenei reiterated that no matter the pressures from Zionist or American leaders, they won’t succeed in undermining Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Experts have long suspected Iran of leveraging its nuclear initiatives as a bargaining chip to relieve Western sanctions. Despite so, exact details of the U.S. proposal remain opaque after multiple rounds of diplomacy. A report indicated the possibility of a nuclear consortium potentially enriching uranium for Iran and neighboring states, but whether Iran would need to forgo its enrichment activities is still uncertain.
Failure to secure a deal could exacerbate already heightened regional tensions, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Iran’s fragile economy might further deteriorate, leading to escalated domestic unrest. Meanwhile, military interventions from Israel or the U.S., targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, remain a looming possibility. Should the diplomatic impasse persist, Iran might sever its cooperation with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, potentially hastening its pursuit of nuclear armament.