DUBAI, May 20. /TASS/. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has voiced skepticism regarding the prospects of negotiations with the United States aimed at resolving the ongoing nuclear crisis.
"Both during the tenure of former President Ebrahim Raisi and now, there have been mediatory negotiations - yet they have yielded no results. Currently, we do not believe these talks will produce any tangible outcomes. What the future holds remains uncertain," his press office quoted him as saying.
According to the leader of the Islamic republic, it is a big mistake to demand that it stop enriching uranium. In a special message, he said, "I would like to issue a warning to the opposite side. U.S. representatives participating in these talks through mediators, try not to talk nonsense. Claiming that you will not allow Iran to pursue enrichment is a serious mistake. We do not require anyone's permission." He also indicated that he would soon clarify to the Iranian people the significance of uranium enrichment and the reasons behind Western, particularly U.S., insistence on Iran stopping the process.
Earlier, Washington urged Tehran to abandon uranium enrichment and to significantly curtail its nuclear program. In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Iranian authorities are willing to discuss limiting the scope and level of uranium enrichment if sanctions are lifted. However, Iran remains firm on its stance against terminating the nuclear program, asserting that the right to civilian nuclear energy is guaranteed to all countries that have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which Tehran was among the first to become a member.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran, with Oman acting as mediator, have conducted four rounds of talks aimed at resolving disagreements over Iran's nuclear activities. The initial meeting took place on April 12 in Muscat, Oman, followed by a session on April 19 in Rome. The third and fourth rounds occurred on April 26 and May 11, again in Muscat. Iran was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the United States' chief delegate was Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. According to Lawrence Norman of The Wall Street Journal, sources suggest that a fifth round of talks may be held in Rome from on May 24-25.