Iran’s Khamenei Slams U.S. Zero Uranium Enrichment Demand as Against National Interests

In a fiery rebuke, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has slammed the latest U.S. proposal demanding zero uranium enrichment, calling it 100% against Tehran’s core interests. The proposal, reportedly mediated through Oman, has sparked intense debate over whether Iran should retain any capacity for uranium enrichment—a process critical for both nuclear energy and potential weapons development.

President Donald Trump has taken a hardline stance, publicly rejecting any allowance for enrichment and emphasizing that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons. In a recent discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump underscored the urgency of a resolution, noting Putin’s willingness to assist in negotiations. Yet, Trump warned that Iran’s apparent slow-walking of the issue must end soon, demanding a definitive answer.

Khamenei, without diving into the specifics of the U.S. proposal, dismissed the idea of a zero-enrichment policy as a direct assault on Iran’s sovereignty. He argued that a nuclear industry without enrichment capabilities renders Iran dependent on foreign powers for fuel, a scenario he deems unacceptable. 'What the U.S. is demanding is that we have no nuclear industry at all,' he stated sharply.

The U.S. proposal reportedly includes a regional coalition to supply Iran with uranium for civilian purposes like energy production—a concept Tehran acknowledges isn’t new. However, Iranian authorities insist this cannot replace their own enrichment capabilities, despite nuclear energy constituting less than 1% of the country’s energy mix.

Khamenei framed Iran’s nuclear program as a matter of national pride, boasting that only a handful of countries worldwide have mastered the full nuclear fuel cycle, from mining to power plant operation. Yet, his vehement rhetoric raises eyebrows, especially as Iran’s near-weapons-grade enrichment levels and missile advancements continue to alarm international security circles, including the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog.

In a pointed jab on social media, Khamenei questioned U.S. interference, asking, 'You Americans possess atomic bombs and the power to destroy the world. What business is it of yours whether Iran enriches uranium or not?' His words underscore the deep mistrust and high stakes in this ongoing nuclear standoff.