### Iran's Supreme Leader Rebuffs U.S. Nuclear Proposal, Vows to Continue Uranium Enrichment The ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear program have hit a significant roadblock. In a recent speech, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei firmly rejected a U.S. proposal aimed at curbing Iran's uranium enrichment activities, which he deemed contrary to the nation's interests. This development raises concerns about the future of diplomatic efforts to revive the nuclear deal abandoned by the U.S. in 2018, as tensions between the two nations continue to escalate. ### Breakdown of the Current Situation 1. **Rejection of U.S. Proposal**: Khamenei criticized the U.S. proposal, stating it was "100% against" Iran's national interests and the principles of the 1979 Islamic Revolution [https://www.nation.com.pk/05-Jun-2025/iran-s-khamenei-rejects-us-nuclear-deal-proposal-vows-to-keep-enriching-uranium]. 2. **Uranium Enrichment as a Priority**: The Supreme Leader emphasized that uranium enrichment is essential for Iran's energy independence, arguing that without it, any nuclear power plants would be ineffective [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-04/iran-s-khamenei-spurns-arrogant-us-nuclear-deal-proposal]. 3. **Ongoing Negotiations**: Despite the rejection, Khamenei did not completely dismiss the possibility of reaching an agreement with the U.S., indicating that Iran is open to discussions but will not compromise on its core interests [https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-06-04/irans-supreme-leader-criticizes-us-proposal-in-nuclear-talks-but-does-not-reject-idea-of-a-deal]. 4. **Historical Context**: The backdrop of these negotiations includes five rounds of talks since April 2025, aimed at establishing a new accord to replace the previous nuclear deal, which was abandoned by former President Donald Trump [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-supreme-leader-says-us-nuclear-proposal-undermines-its-national-power-2025-06-04]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Khamenei's Statements**: In his speech, Khamenei articulated that the U.S. proposal undermines Iran's national power and independence, labeling American officials as "arrogant" for expecting Iran to cease its enrichment activities [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-uranium-trump.html]. - **U.S. Proposal Details**: Reports suggest that the U.S. proposal included provisions for Iran to continue low-level uranium enrichment while negotiating a more comprehensive plan to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons [https://www.investing.com/news/commodities-news/irans-supreme-leader-says-us-nuclear-proposal-undermines-its-national-power-4079482]. ### Conclusion and Implications In summary, **Iran's Supreme Leader has firmly rejected the U.S. proposal regarding uranium enrichment**, asserting that it contradicts the nation's interests and principles. The ongoing negotiations face significant challenges, as Khamenei's commitment to maintaining uranium enrichment highlights Iran's determination to assert its independence in the face of U.S. pressure. 1. **Rejection of U.S. Proposal**: Khamenei's strong stance indicates a deepening divide in negotiations. 2. **Importance of Enrichment**: Iran views uranium enrichment as crucial for its energy needs and national sovereignty. 3. **Potential for Future Talks**: While Khamenei has not ruled out negotiations, any agreement must align with Iran's core interests. 4. **Historical Context**: The backdrop of previous agreements and the U.S. withdrawal complicates the current diplomatic landscape. The future of U.S.-Iran relations remains uncertain, with both sides needing to navigate these complex issues carefully to avoid further escalation [https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3313013/irans-supreme-leader-rejects-key-us-nuclear-demand-vows-keep-enriching-uranium].