Ayatollah Khatami: Iran’s Missile Program Is Non-Negotiable; Suspension of Enrichment Is Not an Option

Speaking during Friday prayers at Tehran’s Mosalla of Imam Khomeini, Khatami addressed ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, emphasizing that Iran’s official negotiating framework is limited strictly to nuclear matters.

“The line of the system is clear,” he said. “Negotiations are confined to the nuclear field. The missile issue and other defense matters are not subject to negotiation.”
He further stressed that Iran has not accepted and will not accept any suspension of uranium enrichment. Remarks by some American officials calling for enrichment to be halted or reduced to zero, he said, are “irrelevant and impossible.”

Criticism of U.S. Policy

Referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, Khatami noted Washington is attempting to impose its will on Tehran through pressure. He argued that Iran would not yield under coercion and that the Iranian people would resist what he described as humiliation.
He also commented on the presence of U.S. naval forces in the region, warning that while the United States maintains significant military capabilities, Iran possesses deterrent capacities of its own.

Regional and Nuclear Context

Khatami’s remarks come amid renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. He reiterated that Iran considers peaceful nuclear technology its legitimate right and maintains that negotiations must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect rather than pressure.

Domestic Issues and Universities

Turning to domestic matters, the cleric addressed recent unrest at several universities, describing the incidents as actions carried out by a small minority. He said universities should remain centers of intellectual debate and scientific discussion, not violence or vandalism.
“Universities are arenas for dialogue and scholarship,” he stated. “Debate must be conducted through knowledge and reasoning, not through aggression.”
He urged university authorities to take lawful and firm action against those responsible for violent behavior, while preserving academic freedom for constructive debate.