Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed skepticism Tuesday over the ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States, stating he doesn’t believe the talks will yield results. “We don’t think it will lead to any outcome,” he said, calling U.S. demands to end uranium enrichment a “big mistake.”
The two nations have engaged in four rounds of indirect, Omani-mediated talks since April—marking their highest-level contact since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord. A fifth round is expected, with Iran describing previous talks as “difficult but useful” and the U.S. calling them “encouraging.”
At the heart of the impasse is Iran’s uranium enrichment, currently at 60%—well above the 3.67% limit set in the 2015 deal and near weapons-grade levels. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and that enrichment is a sovereign right. The U.S., however, views any enrichment as a red line, with lead negotiator Steve Witkoff warning, “We cannot allow even one percent of an enrichment capability.”
Khamenei criticized the U.S. for what he called “nonsense” in negotiations. Iran’s chief negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reiterated that enrichment will continue “with or without a deal.”
President Donald Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” strategy since returning to office, threatening to drive Iranian oil exports to zero and warning of military action if diplomacy fails. Though he has offered an “olive branch,” he stressed it won’t remain on the table indefinitely.
Meanwhile, Iran has also resumed discussions with Britain, France, and Germany, the European parties to the 2015 accord. European nations are considering reimposing UN sanctions in response to Iran’s non-compliance, with the option expiring in October.
Araghchi said Iran is ready to “begin a new chapter” with Europe, urging its support in finding a diplomatic solution.
