Imam Khamenei: US Talks a Dead-End, Strength Is Iran’s Only Path to Progress

The Leader focused on national achievements, the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, the futility of negotiations with the United States, and the enduring unity of the Iranian people.

Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — On Tuesday evening, 23 September 2025, Imam Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution, delivered a comprehensive address to the Iranian nation on the occasion of the opening of Sacred Defense Week, marking the 45th anniversary of Iraq’s imposed war on Iran and the beginning of the Iranian nation’s resistance.

In his wide-ranging speech, the Leader focused on national achievements, the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, the futility of negotiations with the United States, and the enduring unity of the Iranian people.

The speech also coincided with the anniversary of the martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, whom the Leader praised as a lasting treasure for the Islamic world.

Uranium Enrichment: A National Achievement

In his remarks, Imam Khamenei highlighted the wide-ranging applications of enriched uranium across agriculture, industry, environmental protection, healthcare, nutrition, research, and education.

He recalled the origins of Iran’s nuclear industry, noting the determination of managers, officials, and scientists over three decades to achieve indigenous enrichment capabilities despite outside opposition.

“Ten countries in the world are capable of uranium enrichment, and one is Islamic Iran,” the Leader emphasized.

“The other nine countries have nuclear bombs. We’re the ones who don’t have a nuclear bomb, and we won’t have one. We have no intention of using nuclear weapons, but we do have enrichment.”

Iran has successfully reached 60% enrichment, placing the country among the world’s advanced nuclear states. Imam Khamenei underlined that this achievement came at a high cost and cannot be discarded under foreign pressure.

Rejecting US Demands and Impositions

Turning to US demands, Imam Khamenei stressed that Washington’s insistence on halting enrichment amounted to an attempt to strip Iran of its sovereignty.

“This great achievement – one for which our country has worked so hard, gone to great costs, and endured so many difficulties – should be thrown away and destroyed! Obviously, a nation with a strong sense of honor, like the Iranian nation, will slap anyone who suggests such a thing and refuse to accept it,” he declared.

The Leader underscored that the United States has consistently lied, broken promises, issued military threats, and resorted to assassinations, including the martyrdom of General Qassem Soleimani. In this context, he affirmed:

“Negotiations with the US regarding the nuclear issue, and perhaps other matters, are a dead-end.”

Lessons from the JCPOA Experience

Imam Khamenei cited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as evidence of Washington’s duplicity.

He reminded the nation that despite Iran’s compliance with stringent restrictions and the export of enriched material, the US failed to lift sanctions or normalize Iran’s nuclear file. Instead, pressures increased in the Security Council and the IAEA.

The Leader concluded that accepting new negotiations under threats would only signal weakness and invite further coercion.

“No nation of honor would accept negotiations under threat, and no wise policymaker would endorse them,” he said.

The Path to Progress: Strength in All Fields

Imam Khamenei reiterated that the only path for Iran to advance is through strengthening all dimensions of national power.

“Military strength is necessary, scientific strength is necessary, governmental and organizational strength is necessary. If we attain strength, the US side will no longer even issue threats,” he asserted.

National Unity and the Defeat of the Enemy

The Leader praised the unity and cohesion of the Iranian nation as the decisive factor in repelling the plots of enemies, including during the twelve-day Imposed War and the recent assassinations of commanders.

He noted that rapid organizational response, the resilience of the Armed Forces, and the steadfastness of the people thwarted foreign conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the Islamic Republic.

He pointed to the massive rallies of June 2025 as proof of the nation’s enduring unity. “The same unity that filled the streets with slogans against the Zionist regime and criminal America still exists and will continue to exist,” he stated.

Tribute to Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah

Concluding his address, Imam Khamenei honored Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah on the anniversary of his martyrdom.

“He was a tremendous asset, not only for Lebanon or Shi’ism, but for the entire Islamic world. He may be gone, but the treasure he created remains. Hezbollah should not be underestimated. It is a treasure for Lebanon and for the rest of the world,” he affirmed. (PW)

Source: Khamenei.ir