Daijiworld Media Network- Tehran

Tehran, May 21: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly vented his frustration over the United States’ persistent demands in the ongoing nuclear negotiations, branding them as “nonsensical” and “outrageous”, further pushing an already fragile dialogue to the brink of collapse.

Visibly irked during a recent interaction, Khamenei stated bluntly, “I don't think nuclear talks with the US will bring any result. I don't know what will happen.” His remarks reflect growing skepticism in Tehran about the viability of clinching a new nuclear agreement under the current circumstances.

At the core of the standoff is Washington’s insistence that Iran completely cease all uranium enrichment — a demand Khamenei and Iranian negotiators have branded “excessive” and “non-negotiable.” With uranium enrichment long considered a matter of national pride and strategic autonomy, Iran’s leadership remains unmoved.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, echoing the Supreme Leader’s sentiment, said the US demands “defy logic” and “create unnecessary roadblocks.” Speaking to local media, Araqchi confirmed that though a venue for the fifth round of talks — possibly Rome — had been floated, Tehran had not yet agreed to any date.

“We are witnessing positions on the US side that do not go along with any logic and are creating problems for the negotiations. That’s why we have not determined the next round of talks,” Araqchi said.

President Donald Trump, known for his hawkish stance on Iran, responded with a cryptic warning:

“Move quickly or something bad is going to happen.”

The Trump administration has already taken an aggressive posture, with two US aircraft carriers — USS Carl Vinson and USS Harry S. Truman — deployed in the Arabian Sea, and six B-2 stealth bombers stationed at Diego Garcia, a strategic joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean. These B-2s represent roughly 30% of America’s stealth bomber fleet — a signal not lost on Tehran.

Trump has repeatedly warned that Iran will face bombings and crushing sanctions if it refuses to compromise on its nuclear program.

US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, also weighed in, saying that Iran’s uranium enrichment — which has reportedly reached 60% purity — is alarmingly close to the weapons-grade level of 90%.

“For civilian purposes, 3.67% enrichment is more than enough. Iran is far beyond that now, and this cannot be allowed,” Witkoff stated.

Trump added, “Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon. These are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

As both sides harden their stances, the path forward appears increasingly murky. While the US pushes for stringent curbs and surveillance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Tehran remains adamant that its sovereignty and right to peaceful enrichment must be respected.

With tensions escalating and military assets moving into position, the world watches closely — as what began as diplomatic maneuvering now teeters dangerously close to confrontation.