Iran's Supreme Leader Refuses to Relinquish Nuclear and Missile Capabilities

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:29:00 +0200

In a rare public statement, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, declared that Iran would not abandon its nuclear and missile capabilities. The statement, read on Iranian state television, marks a significant moment since Khamenei took over from his late father, who was killed during U.S. strikes in February. Khamenei emphasized that Iran would maintain ownership of all its national assets, including its nuclear and missile technologies. The leader also criticized U.S. military actions in the Persian Gulf, specifically accusing them of failure and humiliation. This declaration comes amid tensions over the U.S.'s demand for Iran to surrender its nuclear weapons and ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Khamenei's refusal to comply with these conditions places the country at odds with the U.S., which has already imposed a naval blockade on Iran. In response, President Donald Trump maintained that no deal would be possible without Iran agreeing to abandon its nuc