Iran leader: Vienna nuclear deals ‘not worth looking at’
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday dismissed initial offers at talks in Vienna to save Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal as “not worth looking at,” attempting to pressure world powers after an attack on the country’s main nuclear enrichment site.
The comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state in the Islamic Republic, came after a day that saw Iran’s president similarly ratchet up pressure over the accord. European powers meanwhile warned Tehran its actions were “particularly regrettable” and “dangerous.”
The talks already have been thrown into disarray by a weekend attack on Iran’s main Natanz nuclear enrichment site suspected to have been carried out by Israel. Tehran retaliated by announcing it would enrich uranium up to 60% — higher than it ever has before but still lower than weaponsgrade levels of 90%.
“The offers they provide are usually arrogant and humiliating ( and) are not worth looking at,” the 81year-old Ayatollah Khamenei said in an address marking the first day of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Iran.
He also criticized the U.S. and warned time could be running out.
“The talks shouldn’t become talks of attrition,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “They shouldn’t be in a way that parties drag on and prolong the talks. This is harmful to the country.”
Speaking to his Cabinet, an impassioned Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the first-generation IR-1 centrifuges damaged in Sunday’s attack would be replaced by advanced IR-6 centrifuges that enrich uranium much faster.
“You wanted to make our hands empty during the talks, but our hands are full,” Mr. Rouhani said.
Mr. Rouhani added: “60% enrichment is an answer to your evilness. ... We cut off both of your hands, one with IR-6 centrifuges and another one with 60%.”
Mr. Rouhani also accused Israel of being behind the Natanz attack and threatened to retaliate.
In Jerusalem at a Memorial Day commemoration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to reference Iran.
“We must never remain apathetic to the threats of war and extermination of those who seek to eliminate us,“he said. Israel has not claimed the attack, though it rarely does in its ongoing shadow war against Tehran.
The talks in Vienna are aimed at finding a way for the United States to re-enter Tehran’s nuclear agreement with world powers and have Iran comply again with its limits. The accord, which former President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from in 2018, prevented Iran from stockpiling enough high-enriched uranium to be able to pursue a nuclear weapon in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Late on Wednesday, the European Union said formal negotiations would resume Thursday in Vienna.
Mr. Rouhani in his comments Wednesday insisted Iran is still hoping the Vienna talks lead to a negotiated settlement over its program — and the accompanying lifting of punishing sanctions. Ayatollah Khamenei as well said he believed in his negotiators but kept up the pressure on the West in his remarks Wednesday night.
“They must do what we say first — and we are assured that it’s done, then we will do what it is we are required to do,” he said.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom, all parties to the nuclear deal, only hours earlier issued a joint statement Wednesday expressing their “grave concern” over Iran’s decision to increase enrichment.