On Tuesday, September 23, Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei began his speech marking the anniversary of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war by focusing on “social unity.” He expressed satisfaction that the street protests had not occurred during the recent conflict, revealing his fear of the explosive state of society.
He tried to show he was in control, claiming that the enemy’s goal as “disrupting the system” and creating “street sedition,” while noting that military commanders were replaced quickly and the armed forces continued “with higher morale.”
Nuclear case: “60% enrichment” without “nuclear weapons”
The regime leader described Iran’s current nuclear activities as “advanced” and claimed Iran is among the ten countries capable of uranium enrichment, but with the difference that Iran “does not have and will not have a nuclear bomb.”
He said Iran is enriching uranium up to 60% and justified it as necessary for “certain national needs.” Referring to attacks on nuclear facilities, Khamenei stressed that “nuclear knowledge” cannot be destroyed by “bombing,” citing the work of “dozens of professors” and “thousands of researchers” in the nuclear field.
Rejection of “negotiation” with the U.S.
Khamenei said that under current conditions, “negotiation” with the U.S. government “has no benefit” and “removes no harm” from Iran. He claimed the American side has already predetermined the outcome, demanding the “complete elimination of enrichment” and even the suspension of Iran’s missile capability. He warned that accepting talks under “threat” means creating “permanent vulnerability” and added: “This is no longer negotiation, it is dictation, it is imposition.”
Referring back to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), Khamenei claimed the regime fulfilled all its commitments but “sanctions were not lifted,” and later the U.S. withdrew from the agreement. He added that Iran’s case at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not become “normal” as expected and instead “additional problems” were created. Within this framework, he dismissed any new negotiations as futile and stressed that Iran’s regime will not “surrender” under pressure.
Inevitable reinstatement of sanctions?
The regime leader once again emphasized the continuation of “national unity” and urged his domestic audience to “maintain cohesion” against the “enemy.”
Is The Iranian Regime Ready to Reduce Uranium Enrichment Levels To 3.67%?
In conclusion, his message reaffirmed commitment to continuing “enrichment,” rejecting “negotiation” with the U.S. under current conditions, and highlighting “unity” as the political-social shield.
These remarks by Khamenei, made before the upcoming speech by Iranian regime president Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN General Assembly, are seen as dashing any hopes for potential side negotiations to prevent the reinstatement of pre-JCPOA sanctions. If Iran and European countries fail to reach an agreement on resolving the nuclear dispute by September 28, the snapback mechanism will be activated, and all six previous UN sanction resolutions will be reimposed.
