TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Wednesday resoundingly dismissed U.S. proposals that Iran should stop all uranium enrichment activities, saying enrichment is the key to Iran’s nuclear industry.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the remarks as Iran is marking the 36th anniversary of the passing of Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.

“The first word of the U.S. is that Iran should not have a nuclear industry and should rely on the United States,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini.

The Leader stated that the nuclear industry is a basic, main industry: “According to expert and scientific assessments, diverse fields of basic science and engineering — including nuclear physics, energy engineering, materials engineering — as well as sensitive, high-precision technologies in medical equipment, aerospace, and electronic sensors, are either reliant on or effected by nuclear technology.”

Ayatollah Khamenei explained why this industry is futile without uranium enrichment: “Without enrichment and the ability to produce nuclear fuel, even having 100 nuclear power plants would be useless — because to acquire fuel, we would have to be dependent on the US and they could set dozens of conditions.” “This scenario was already experienced in the 2000s” he said, “when we needed 20% enriched fuel.”

The Leader stressed that the main demand of the Americans in the nuclear issue is to completely deprive Iran of this industry and its many benefits for the people. “The rude and insolent US officials repeatedly voice this demand in various forms,” he said.

The Leader emphasized, “Our response to the absurdities of the loudmouthed, imprudent American government is clear: Today, the nuts and bolts of our nuclear industry are stronger than ever. And the current rulers in Washington and the Zionists should know that they cannot do a damn thing in this area.”

He declared that the Islamic Republic’s first message to the American side and other opponents of Iran’s nuclear program is to challenge the very legal basis of their claims, stating: “Our message is that the Iranian nation’s destiny is in its own hands. Who are you to interfere in whether or not we have enrichment? From what legal standpoint do you presume such a right?”

In the final part of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei turned to the shocking and unbelievable atrocities being committed by the Zionist regime in Gaza. He referred to reports that food distribution centers have been set up only to gather people and then shoot them down with gunfire, and said: “This level of vileness, wickedness, cruelty, and barbarity is truly appalling.”

He named the US as a full accomplice in these crimes, stating, “This is precisely why we insist that the US must be expelled from West Asia.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described the duty of Islamic governments today as extremely grave, emphasizing: “This is not a time for hesitation, appeasement, neutrality, or silence. If any Islamic government under any pretext supports the Zionist regime, whether by normalizing relations, blocking aid to the people of Palestine, or justifying the Zionists’ crimes, they should know with certainty that an eternal disgrace will mark their foreheads.”

He warned that divine punishment in the Hereafter for cooperating with the Zionists will be severe, adding: “Even in this world, nations will not forget such betrayals. And relying on the Zionist regime brings no security for any government because, by definite divine decree, this regime is collapsing. God willing, that day is not far off.”