Khamenei: The U.S. is making a serious mistake in demanding a ban on uranium enrichment

He's named them as “taken by” the U.S. statements.

“They say: We won't let Iran enrich uranium. This exceeds any” limit, Ayatolah Ali Khamenei said during a memorial ceremony for the late President Ebrahim Rais, who died last year in a helicopter accident, follows. Periscope.

It's a big mistake on their part to say that we won't let Iran enrich uranium. Nobody's expecting permission for this or that. The Islamic Republic has a policy, has a method, and follows its policy... The issue of enrichment is not at all a matter for discussion”, he added.

Washington and Tehran are holding indirect talks on Iran's nuclear programme last week.

However, Khamenei appears to not believe they will produce any results.

There was indirect talks even during Reis' time, just as there is now. But they did not lead anywhere, and we do not expect much of these. Who knows what will happen”, he stressed.

His comments reflect Tehran's growing anger, due to blocked nuclear talks, as well as major tensions that have characterised US-Iran relations in recent years.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told the state news agency IRNA that “and no final decision has been made for the next round of negotiations”, adding that Iran's Islamic Republic “is looking into the issue in view of the controversial and constantly changing attitudes of the American side”.

IRNA also reported that Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister, said Tehran has received a proposal regarding the future round of indirect talks with Washington and that it is reviewing it./REL/