Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a fiery speech on Wednesday, condemning U.S. demands over its nuclear program as “rude” and “insolent,” and accusing Washington of trying to block Iran’s progress and self-sufficiency. He warned that the United States “cannot do a damn thing”.
Why It Matters
The response from Iran’s Supreme Leader’s is the clearest yet to the nuclear proposals made by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to use military force if there is no deal.
They also underline Iran’s commitment to uranium enrichment, the main sticking point. Trump has said no enrichment would be allowed to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons — something Tehran says it does not seek.
Tensions are high as Washington awaits an official response to the proposal sent following several rounds of talks, previously described as positive by both sides.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd as he arrives for a ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1989 death of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini at his shrine just outside Tehran,…
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd as he arrives for a ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1989 death of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini at his shrine just outside Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
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Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP
What To Know
“The US’s first word is that Iran should not have a nuclear industry. Our response to America’s nonsense claims is clear: they cannot do a damn thing in this matter,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr News Agency.
Khamenei later took to social media, saying that the U.S. seeks to block Iran’s nuclear industry in order to keep the country dependent on Washington for radiopharmaceuticals, energy, desalination technology, and other critical sectors.
Uranium enrichment, a source of pride for Iran, is at the heart of a long rift between the two countries. While Iran says it does not seek nuclear weapons, the American administration has voiced concerns over reported significant enrichment activity, closer to bomb-grade levels.
A confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that Iran conducted secret nuclear activities with undeclared materials at three sites long under scrutiny; in response, the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany are urging the IAEA to declare Iran in breach of its non-proliferation commitments, according to Reuters.
Denying allegations, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned against what he described as a “politically motivated” move against that could derail Tehran’s cooperation with the UN watchdog, according to the Tehran Times.
What People Are Saying
Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on X: “Thousands of nuclear scientists & researchers have been trained in Iran. Should we disappoint them, make them unemployed, & take away their hope in our country’s future? The rude, insolent US leaders want this. They’re opposed to progress & self-sufficiency for the Iranian ppl… In the current nuclear talks that are being mediated by Oman, the US’s proposal is 100% against the spirit of “We can.” What the US is demanding is that you should have no nuclear industry at all and be dependent on them.”
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media: “Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!”
What Happens Next
Iran must make a formal response to the U.S. proposals. Authorities on both sides are yet to confirm if a sixth round of nuclear talks will take place.