US trusts our failures more than its own power, Iranian lawmaker says

A senior Iranian cleric said on Tuesday that missile production and nuclear technology remain non-negotiable issues for Tehran in any indirect talks with the United States.

“Missile production in Iran’s missile cities and our nuclear technology are red lines,” said Ahmad Khatami, Tehran’s interim Friday prayer Imam, according to local media.

Khatami also accused what he called Western-backed media of spreading disinformation aimed at dividing Muslims. “These hostile media outlets, supported by America and the West, are trying to disturb public opinion through fake news in cyberspace,” he said.

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Iran is open to compromise in nuclear talks with the United States, but uranium enrichment remains non-negotiable, CNN reported citing an interview with foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday.

“If the intention is to make sure that Iran’s nuclear program would not be weaponized, I think that’s something that we could simply do,” Baghaei said.

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A conservative Iranian newspaper on Tuesday criticized what it described as exaggerated optimism among some domestic political circles over recent US remarks in the context of nuclear negotiations, calling such interpretations harmful and misleading.

“The positions of American officials in the talks are nothing more than lollipops,” Farhikhtegan daily wrote, warning that loosely interpreted “positive signals” should not be taken as signs of imminent agreement. “Domestic groups should not pin their hopes on vague, non-binding comments from US leaders, including the president himself.”

The paper argued that this narrative of premature optimism distracts from Iran’s negotiating strategy and can destabilize the economy. “Such misreadings create unrealistic public expectations and fuel volatility in the markets,” it said.

“Any unsupported narrative weakens Iran’s position at the table and emboldens the other side,” it warned.

Iran remains firm on its right to enrich uranium and will not accept any foreign limits on the program, the country's judiciary spokesman said on Tuesday.

“Uranium enrichment is the Islamic Republic’s undeniable right,” spokesman Asghar Jahangir told reporters. “The Americans saying they won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium is a gross overstep.”

He added that Iran “acts in accordance with international law” and that “no one has the right to ignore this right.”

Jahangir also cautioned negotiators to avoid sending signals that could encourage adversaries. “We must act in a way that doesn’t tempt the enemy into miscalculation,” he said.

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“If the intention is to make sure that Iran’s nuclear program would not be weaponized, I think that’s something that we could simply do,” Baghaei said.

“If the (US) intention is to deprive Iranians of their right to peaceful nuclear energy, I think that would be very problematic to the extent that I think it would really challenge the whole process,” he added.

Asked how a compromise could be reached, he replied, “So many ways,” without elaborating.

Following Tehran and Washington's fifth round of nuclear talks, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that “real progress” had been made in recent talks with Iran and suggested there could be “some good news” in the coming days.

However, in spite of the contentiousness of the issue, Baghaei suggested there is room for maneuver.

“The fact that so far we have continued our talks means that we understand there is a certain level of understanding that Iran cannot under any circumstances give up its right to peaceful nuclear energy,” he said.

Last week, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, ruled out the option of ceasing enrichment.

"Saying things like 'we won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium' is way out of line. No one is waiting for anyone’s permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policy, its own approach, and it will continue to pursue it," he said, going as far as to say he felt it would be the issue to break the talks.

"Indirect negotiations took place (under Raisi) as well—just like now—but without results,” Khamenei said during a memorial ceremony for the late president and others killed in a helicopter crash last May.

“We do not think it would yield results now either. We do not know what will happen.”