Iran Rejects US Uranium Stance         05/20 06:21

   

   TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday pushed back against 
U.S. criticism of the country's nuclear program, saying that Tehran won't seek 
permission from anyone to enrich uranium and calling American statements 
"nonsense."

   "They say, 'We won't allow Iran to enrich uranium.' That's way out of line," 
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during a memorial for late President Ebrahim Raisi, 
who died in a helicopter crash last year. "No one in Iran is waiting for their 
permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policies and direction -- and it 
will stick to them."

   Khamenei's remarks came as indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. 
reportedly continue, though he expressed doubt about their outcome.

   "Yes, indirect negotiations were held during Raisi's time too, just like 
now," he said. "But they didn't go anywhere -- and we don't expect much from 
the current ones either. Who knows what will happen."

   His comments reflect Tehran's growing frustration with the stalled nuclear 
discussions, as well as the broader tensions that have defined U.S.-Iran 
relations in recent years.

   Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told the state-run IRNA news 
agency that "no definitive decision has been made about the next round of 
negotiations," adding that "the Islamic Republic of Iran is reviewing the 
matter while considering the U.S. side's contradictory and constantly changing 
positions."

   IRNA also reported that Kazem Gharibabadi, the deputy foreign minister, said 
that Tehran had received a proposal regarding the next round of indirect talks 
with Washington and was currently reviewing it.