Khamenei says US 'cannot have a say' on uranium enrichment

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that the United States "cannot have a say" on Tehran's uranium enrichment in its nuclear programme.

"Why are you interfering in whether Iran should have enrichment or not? You cannot have a say," said Khamenei referring to the United States in a speech aired on state television.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Revolution surprised the Western world, noting that Iran’s political system has since developed with stability and strength.

He made the remark on Wednesday as he addressed a ceremony marking the 36th anniversary of the demise of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.

Few expected the Islamic Revolution and Imam Khomeini to successfully expel American and Zionist influence from Iran, given their long-standing dominance in the country, Khamenei said. If a government had compromised with the West, he said, foreign powers might have regained influence and pursued their interests in Iran.

Imam Khomeini’s uncompromising stance, however, ensured the preservation of Iran’s sovereignty and ideological independence, he said.

According to Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran has confronted and thwarted over a thousand orchestrated plots. He praised the nation’s resilience in resisting external attempts to undermine its governance and principles.

Khamenei underscored the multifaceted significance of nuclear technology, noting that it transcends mere energy production and serves as a cornerstone for numerous scientific disciplines.

He emphasized that uranium enrichment remains the linchpin of Iran’s nuclear programme, a focal point persistently scrutinized by the enemies.

Reflecting on past challenges, he recalled Iran’s struggles to procure 20% enriched fuel, citing American unreliability as a learning lesson.

He lambasted US policies, contending that Washington’s primary objective is to obstruct Iran’s nuclear development and impose dependency on foreign entities.

Khamenei categorically dismissed such coercive tactics, affirming that the US is unable to impede Iran’s nuclear progress. He urged the US to desist from meddling in Iran’s uranium enrichment endeavours.

The slogan “We Can” plays an important role in Iran’s national independence, he said, noting that the US plan on the Iranian nuclear issue is 100% against the slogan.–Agencies