Iran in a tough position in talks with the US on the nuclear issue: Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made it clear that there will be no direct talks with the US on the nuclear program. In a televised speech on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, he said that the US has already decided the outcome. Therefore, what is happening in the name of talks is nothing more than an imposed decision.

Earlier, on the sidelines of the UN session, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with the foreign ministers of three European countries - Germany, France and the UK - and the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas. The main topic of discussion at the meeting was the upcoming reimposition of UN sanctions. The European countries have made it clear that if Tehran does not impose restrictions on its nuclear program and does not allow international inspectors access, the sanctions will not be lifted.

The UN nuclear agency IAEA has already said that Iran has stockpiled uranium 40 times more than the permitted limit. According to the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was exempted from sanctions in exchange for meeting certain conditions. But in 2018, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and imposed strict sanctions. The current Biden administration has also been following that policy.

In his speech, Khamenei stressed that Iran does not want to build nuclear weapons. However, they will not give up their right to peaceful nuclear energy. He also referred to the United States as the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism.

After Khamenei's comments, new concerns have arisen in the international arena about Iran. Because if there is no progress in the negotiations, sanctions will automatically take effect from Saturday. This will lead to the seizure of Iran's foreign assets, the suspension of arms deals and major obstacles to its missile program. Hardline members of the Iranian parliament have already raised the demand to build a nuclear bomb, which is further complicating the situation.

However, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has given a small message of hope. He said that if there is political will, it is possible to find a way to compromise. The IAEA inspection team is also ready. Finally, he said that tensions can be eased if trust and understanding are restored between Iran and the international community.