Iran has firmly refused to accept a U.S. demand requiring it to end all uranium enrichment on Iranian soil. The U.S. position calling for a complete halt to enrichment has drawn strong criticism from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who declared it 100% against Iran’s national interests. He emphasized that uranium enrichment is central to Iran’s national self-reliance and critical for its nuclear program’s peaceful operations.
Iran’s Resistance to U.S. Proposal Could Collapse Nuclear Talks
Diplomats in both Washington and Tehran warn that Iran’s rejection of the zero enrichment demand may cause current talks to fall apart. Multiple rounds of negotiations have failed to bridge the gap over this issue. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also stated that the U.S. must offer compensation for recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites before diplomacy can proceed.
Arab and European mediators have pushed proposals allowing low-level enrichment under international monitoring but Iran has firmly rejected these conditions.
Enriched Uranium Stocks Near Weapons Grade Raise Global Concern
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity has grown to about 900 pounds, enough to potentially convert into weapons-grade material with further processing. These figures have alarmed Western powers, who fear Tehran is edging dangerously close to bomb-grade enrichment. Iran claims its program remains peaceful, but refuses to halt enrichment levels.
In a televised address, Ayatollah Khamenei denounced the U.S. and its allies as “arrogant” and accused them of trying to dictate Iran’s sovereign rights. He warned that without enrichment, the Iranian nuclear program would be “paralyzed” and reliant on foreign powers for nuclear fuel a submission he rejects.
High-Stakes Nuclear Standoff Continues
Iran’s refusal to halt enrichment means that a return to a formal nuclear deal such as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action remains unlikely. Unless a compromise allowing limited enrichment under strict safeguards is accepted, talks risk failure. The U.S. has also threatened further military strikes should Iran resume operations at damaged nuclear facilities.
With Israel and the EU warning of potential “snapback” sanctions, both diplomacy and escalation remain possibilities. Iran’s continued enrichment increases tensions, especially as U.S. and Israeli officials maintain skepticism and pursue hardline demands.
