Iranian Parliament Speaker Blasts U.S. Nuclear Proposal

Tasnim News Agency

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has sharply criticised the latest United States proposal in ongoing nuclear negotiations, describing it as coercive and contradictory.

Speaking on Sunday, 8 June 2025, Mr Ghalibaf asserted that the U.S. plan fails to offer any commitment to lifting economic sanctions—Tehran’s principal demand—and instead relies on vague assurances of economic benefits.

He emphasised that under Iran’s Strategic Action Plan to Lift Sanctions, the country is willing to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme, but only in return for verifiable and tangible sanctions relief. “The fact that the U.S. proposal doesn’t even mention lifting sanctions clearly proves the dishonesty and contradiction in America’s approach,” he said.

Ghalibaf also accused Washington of attempting to strip Iran of its internationally recognised right to enrich uranium. He labelled the proposal “unilateral” and “imposed”, arguing that it offers little of substance in exchange for Iranian cooperation.

Officials in Tehran reiterated that any prospective agreement must align with Iran’s national interests, including the right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran’s response would be governed by its strategic principles and priorities.

Iranian Foreign Minister and chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Oman’s foreign minister had recently delivered the U.S. proposal during a short visit to Tehran. He added that Iran would respond in due course and in accordance with its national interests.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Friday that Iran would not be permitted to enrich uranium, even at low levels. “If they enrich, then we’re going to have to do it the other way,” he warned, hinting at the possibility of military action should diplomacy fail.

Despite the hard-line rhetoric, reports indicate the U.S. proposal allows for limited uranium enrichment under international supervision—similar to the framework of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed during the Obama administration.

Five rounds of nuclear talks have taken place since 12 April 2025, with further negotiations anticipated. However, significant disagreements over sanctions relief and uranium enrichment remain key barriers to reaching a new agreement.



PUKMEDIA