Iran�s supreme leader on Tuesday pushed back against U.S. criticism of the country�s nuclear program, saying that Tehran won�t seek permission from anyone to enrich uranium and calling American statements �nonsense.�

�They say, �We won�t allow Iran to enrich uranium.� That�s way out of line,� Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during a memorial for late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last year. �No one in Iran is waiting for their permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policies and direction � and it will stick to them.�

Khamenei�s remarks came as indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. reportedly continue, though he expressed doubt about their outcome.

�Yes, indirect negotiations were held during Raisi�s time too, just like now,� he said. �But they didn�t go anywhere � and we don�t expect much from the current ones either. Who knows what will happen.�

His comments reflect Tehran�s growing frustration with the stalled nuclear discussions, as well as the broader tensions that have defined U.S.-Iran relations in recent years.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told the state-run IRNA news agency that �no definitive decision has been made about the next round of negotiations,� adding that �the Islamic Republic of Iran is reviewing the matter while considering the U.S. side�s contradictory and constantly changing positions.�

IRNA also reported that Kazem Gharibabadi, the deputy foreign minister, said that Tehran had received a proposal regarding the next round of indirect talks with Washington and was currently reviewing it.

(AP)