Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, said Tehran will not scale back its nuclear program as indirect talks with the United States prepare to resume next week, according to Reuters. His remarks signal a firm line from Iran’s leadership ahead of another round of diplomacy after years of strained relations and recurring deadlock.

The comments come at a sensitive moment, with both sides facing pressure to narrow their differences over Iran’s nuclear activities. Negotiations have repeatedly stalled over enrichment limits, sanctions relief, and verification measures, leaving little sign of a durable breakthrough.

For ordinary Iranians, the stakes extend well beyond diplomatic language. Any continued confrontation can deepen economic pain, prolong uncertainty, and keep sanctions-related hardship in place. At the same time, a failure to reach agreement raises the risk of renewed escalation in an already volatile region.

The talks are expected to test whether either side is willing to make limited compromises or whether both will remain locked into positions that have kept diplomacy fragile for years.