TEHRAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday warned the United States against making "nonsensical" remarks regarding Tehran's uranium enrichment during the ongoing indirect nuclear talks between the two countries.
He made the remarks at a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate the first anniversary of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's death, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024, according to footage of Khamenei's speech published on his website.
Khamenei said, "I should give a warning to the other side. The American side that has entered the indirect talks and is negotiating should refrain from idle remarks."
"For them to say that 'we do not allow Iran to enrich uranium' is a big mistake," he added. "No one (in Iran) is waiting for permission from anyone. Iran has its independent policy and method and pursues its own agenda."
The leader said he would later explain to the nation why the Western countries, including the United States, were insisting so much on stopping Iran's uranium enrichment.
Khamenei, in addition, said he expects no results from the ongoing nuclear talks with Washington.
Facilitated by Oman, the Iranian and U.S. delegations have so far held four rounds of indirect talks since April on Tehran's nuclear program and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.
A fifth round is expected to be held in the coming days, with its date and venue to be announced later.
However, over the past days, U.S. officials have kept saying that Iran should completely cease its uranium enrichment, a request rejected by Tehran, which considers the issue "non-negotiable." ■
