February 17, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has publicly rebuffed pressure from the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme, asserting that nuclear energy is Iran’s sovereign right and criticising what he described as external interference in the ongoing talks between the two nations.
In a sharply worded address, Khamenei accused the U.S. of acting “irrationally” in the nuclear negotiations and warned that Washington has no authority to dictate Iran’s nuclear choices. He framed the dispute as a matter of national dignity and independence, insisting that Iran will not abandon what it sees as its right to peaceful nuclear energy under international law.
Context: Nuclear Talks and Tensions
The remarks come amid indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, where Iranian and U.S. delegations are engaged in talks mediated by Oman in an effort to reach a framework that would limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Iranian officials have recently said they’re willing to discuss certain aspects of the nuclear programme, but remain firm on preserving Tehran’s right to enrich uranium a core issue in the diplomatic standoff.
While both sides have signalled some progress on “guiding principles” of an agreement, substantial gaps remain — especially over limits on enrichment levels, inspections, and whether other contentious issues like ballistic missiles should be included.
Khamenei’s Framing and Diplomatic Message
Khamenei’s comments reflect a longstanding Iranian position that nuclear development for peaceful purposes is a sovereign entitlement under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to which Iran is a signatory. Iranian leaders have repeatedly emphasised that having nuclear energy for civilian use does not equate to seeking weapons.
His remarks also aimed to push back against what Tehran views as external pressure or threats. In the address, he underscored that foreign attempts to limit or control Iran’s nuclear trajectory amount to interference in domestic affairs — an assertion likely to resonate with hard-line factions inside Iran.
Broader Regional and Global Dynamics
The exchange comes as global attention remains fixed on the Middle East’s security environment, where nuclear negotiations, military posturing, and geopolitical rivalries intersect. Iran’s insistence on its nuclear rights stands in contrast with U.S. and Western concerns about preventing nuclear weapons proliferation; finding common ground has been a central challenge in diplomacy for more than a decade.
As the talks continue, how the U.S. and Iran reconcile these fundamental differences between sovereignty and international security imperatives will be critical in determining whether a breakthrough or further escalation lies ahead.