Iran FM rules out negotiations over enrichment, says Khamenei set red line

Iran said Tuesday that the timing and location of the next round of indirect talks with the United States have not been finalized.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said proposals had been made, including by Oman, but no agreement had been reached.

“As far as we are concerned, no final decision has been taken on this matter,” Baghaei said. “There have been proposals for time and place from the Omani Foreign Ministry, but as of this moment, nothing has been confirmed.”

Iran’s rial plummeted on Tuesday after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said he did not expect ongoing indirect talks with the United States to succeed.

The rial fell sharply in Tehran’s unofficial market, dropping from around 820,000 to over 840,000 per US dollar shortly after Khamenei’s remarks, according to foreign exchange traders.

“We don’t think the current negotiations will lead to a result,” Khamenei said at a public event.

Similar declines have occurred in the past following negative signals from Khamenei regarding nuclear talks.

"Indirect negotiations took place (under Raisi) as well—just like now—but without results,” Khamenei said during a memorial ceremony for the late president and others killed in a helicopter crash last May. “We do not think it would yield results now either. We do not know what will happen.”

Turning to US calls for zero uranium enrichment, Khamenei said: “Since negotiations have come up, I want to give a warning to the opposing side. The American side that engages in these indirect talks and have discussions, should try not to spout nonsense.

"Saying things like 'we won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium' is way out of line. No one is waiting for anyone’s permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policy, its own approach, and it will continue to pursue it."

US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East on Sunday said Washington will not accept any level of uranium enrichment in a potential agreement with Tehran.

“We cannot allow even one percent of an enrichment capability,” Steven Witkoff told ABC News. “Everything begins from our standpoint with a deal that does not include enrichment. We cannot have that.”

Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful and Khamenei said that he would explain "at a later date" why the issue of enrichment is such a key focus of the talks, leaving the issue open.

On Monday, the United Arab Emirates-based The National cited an Iranian official as saying that Iran had not accepted Oman's invitation for a fifth round of talks with the US due to take place in Rome.

The American officials' insistence on "zero enrichment" has left Iran uncertain about the usefulness of more talks, the report said.

"Iran does not want to have another round of talks and them to fail", the official was quoted as saying. "With zero enrichment, we don't have a deal."

Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to 60% U-235, a level that causes "serious concern," according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The IAEA has consistently maintained that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to this level, which is a short technical step from weapons-grade 90% fissile material.

Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had increased to 275 kg, enough to theoretically make about half a dozen weapons if Iran further enriches the uranium.

Earlier in the day before Khamenei's speech, deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran has received a proposal for the next round of indirect negotiations with the United States.

“We have received a proposal about the next round of negotiations with the US, and it is under review,” Gharibabadi told state media without providing further details.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that he did not expect the current indirect talks with the United States to succeed, in his most pessimistic remarks since US-Iran nuclear talks began last month.

“Since negotiations have come up, I want to give a warning to the opposing side. The American side that engages in these indirect talks and has discussions, should try not to spout nonsense, "Khamenei said during a memorial ceremony for the late president and others killed in a helicopter crash last May

"Saying things like 'we won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium' is way out of line. No one is waiting for anyone’s permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policy, its own approach, and it will continue to pursue it."

"Indirect negotiations took place (under Raisi) as well—just like now—but without results,” Khamenei added. “We do not think it would yield results now either. We do not know what will happen.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that no final decision has been made on the timing of the next round of indirect talks with the United States.

“It’s still a clash of positions,” Araghchi said when asked about the latest status of the negotiations. “A date has been proposed, but we haven’t accepted it yet.”