Iran’s Supreme Leader Finally Ruled that He will Never Back Down on the Nuclear Issue

A few days ago, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued tough instructions on Iran's nuclear issue, stating that Iran's nuclear path is "irreversible" and that any concession will endanger Iran's independence. The United Nations Security Council reached an agreement on March 14, local time, and planned to launch formal consultations on the Iranian nuclear issue on the 17th.

According to the Associated Press, on March 14, local time, Khamenei issued his strongest remarks on the nuclear issue. The aim was apparently to put an end to the compromising rhetoric of moderates within the Iranian government. He told Iranian diplomats who returned home for negotiations that Iran could not retreat.

According to Iranian TV, Khamenei said that day: "Iran believes that retreating on the nuclear issue will destroy the country's independence and cause huge losses to Iran... This (nuclear) path is irreversible, and foreign policy departments must be brave. Defend Iran’s rights.”

Associated Press analysis believes that Khamenei has the final say in all national affairs in Iran. The tough instructions he issued will bring Iran into conflict with Western countries, and his remarks have led to an agreement between Iran and Russia on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. Hope seems even slimmer. This proposal put forward by Russia is considered to be the last chance to avoid a confrontation in the Security Council over the Iranian nuclear issue.

Iran's attitude changed in a short period of time when considering Russia's proposal to establish a uranium enrichment complex. On March 12, Iran stated that it would no longer consider Russia's proposal, and Russia severely criticized this. Subsequently, Iran changed its tune and stated that talks with Russia were still ongoing.

At present, Iran's attitude on the nuclear issue is very firm. On March 14, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also vowed to resist pressure from the Security Council in a speech broadcast on national television. He also stated that no country can take away nuclear technology from Iran.

"They have to understand that neither propaganda nor political pressure nor the games they are playing can stop Iran from continuing on its path," he said.

According to US media reports, the five permanent members of the Security Council held discussions on how to deal with the Iranian nuclear issue. After the Security Council meeting on the 14th, there were still differences on the statement on Iran’s nuclear project.

The draft resolution submitted by Britain and France calls for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and requires a report within weeks on the progress Iran has made in answering questions about its nuclear program. However, Russia said that this draft did not leave enough space for diplomatic activities, but focused too much on possible measures taken by the Security Council.

The United States and some European countries have accused Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons, but Iran denies the accusation and says its nuclear program is only to use nuclear reactors to produce electricity. Iran maintains that it has the right to possess technology for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment.

The United States and its European allies want Iran to permanently abandon uranium enrichment, a process that produces not only fuel for civilian nuclear reactors but also materials for nuclear warheads.