Iran’s supreme leader doubts success of negotiations with US

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of negotiations with the United States aimed at resolving the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“Both then and now, negotiations have been conducted through intermediaries, but they have been fruitless. And now we do not believe they will lead to any result. It is unclear what will happen next,” Khamenei’s press service stated.

According to the leader of the Islamic Republic, the demand to halt uranium enrichment is a serious mistake. “I would like to warn the other side. U.S. representatives, participating in these negotiations through mediators, try not to speak nonsense. Saying that you will not allow Iran to enrich [uranium] is a big mistake. We do not need anyone’s permission. Next time, I will explain to the Iranian people why they are so focused on uranium enrichment, and why the West, the U.S., and others are insisting so much that Iran stop enriching uranium,” Khamenei stated.

Washington had previously announced that Iran must cease uranium enrichment and effectively reduce its nuclear program.