Why it matters:
Nuclear technology is a foundational industry that all countries have the right to use peacefully. The technology brings independence for nations in the energy sector as well as other areas, including medicines.
What he is saying:
Ayatollah Khamenei: " Nuclear technology has one key element: uranium enrichment. Without enrichment, nuclear technology is essentially useless, because we would have to rely on others for power plant fuel."
"The primary stance of the Americans is that Iran should not have a nuclear industry so that we remain dependent on them for energy and radiopharmaceuticals."
"Thousands of nuclear scientists have been trained in the country—should we disappoint all of them? This is exactly what the Americans want. They oppose Iran's progress, but our response to their rhetoric is clear. The Americans and Zionists must understand that they can do nothing in this regard."
Context:
During the last round of the Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, the 5th round, the U.S. authorities said that Iran must not have uranium enrichment as a prerequisite to continue the talks. The talks come after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from Iran's international nuclear agreement, JCOPA, in 2018.
The bottom line:
"The first thing we say to the U.S. regarding nuclear issues is, 'Why are you interfering? You possess the capabilities to destroy a world, yet Iran's nuclear industry is none of your concern. From what legal standpoint are you making these claims?" Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
Go deeper:
Leader: Claims of Preventing Iran's Enrichment Are Completely Nonsense
seyed mohammad kazemi
