Iran won't seek permission from anyone to enrich uranium, says supreme leader

TEHRAN, May 20 (AP/AFP): Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday pushed back against U.S. criticism of the country's nuclear programme, 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.

Iran and the United States have held four rounds of Omani-mediated nuclear talks since April 12, the highest-level contact between the two foes since Washington abandoned the 2015 nuclear accord.

They had confirmed plans to hold another round of discussions during their last meeting on May 11, which Iran described as "difficult but useful", while a US official said Washington was "encouraged".

Iranian diplomats have said Tehran would be open to temporary restrictions on how much uranium it enriches and to what level.

Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" approach against Iran. While backing nuclear diplomacy, he also warned of potential military action if it fails.

Trump has said he presented Iran's leadership with an "olive branch", adding that it was an offer that would not last forever. He further threatened to impose "massive maximum pressure", including driving Iranian oil exports to zero if talks failed.

Trump later doubled down on his warning, saying that "something bad is going to happen" unless the Iranians "move quickly" towards a deal.

Iranian officials, however, criticised what they described as "contradictory" positions by US officials along with the continued imposition of sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry and nuclear programme despite the talks.