Iranian cleric says missile production is a red line in talks with US
A senior Iranian cleric said on Tuesday that missile production and nuclear technology remain non-negotiable issues for Tehran in any indirect talks with the United States.
“Missile production in Iran’s missile cities and our nuclear technology are red lines,” said Ahmad Khatami, Tehran’s interim Friday prayer Imam, according to local media.
Khatami also accused what he called Western-backed media of spreading disinformation aimed at dividing Muslims. “These hostile media outlets, supported by America and the West, are trying to disturb public opinion through fake news in cyberspace,” he said.
Iran is open to compromise in nuclear talks with the United States, but uranium enrichment remains non-negotiable, CNN reported citing an interview with foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday.
“If the intention is to make sure that Iran’s nuclear program would not be weaponized, I think that’s something that we could simply do,” Baghaei said.
A conservative Iranian newspaper on Tuesday criticized what it described as exaggerated optimism among some domestic political circles over recent US remarks in the context of nuclear negotiations, calling such interpretations harmful and misleading.
“The positions of American officials in the talks are nothing more than lollipops,” Farhikhtegan daily wrote, warning that loosely interpreted “positive signals” should not be taken as signs of imminent agreement. “Domestic groups should not pin their hopes on vague, non-binding comments from US leaders, including the president himself.”
The paper argued that this narrative of premature optimism distracts from Iran’s negotiating strategy and can destabilize the economy. “Such misreadings create unrealistic public expectations and fuel volatility in the markets,” it said.
“Any unsupported narrative weakens Iran’s position at the table and emboldens the other side,” it warned.
Iran remains firm on its right to enrich uranium and will not accept any foreign limits on the program, the country's judiciary spokesman said on Tuesday.
“Uranium enrichment is the Islamic Republic’s undeniable right,” spokesman Asghar Jahangir told reporters. “The Americans saying they won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium is a gross overstep.”
He added that Iran “acts in accordance with international law” and that “no one has the right to ignore this right.”
Jahangir also cautioned negotiators to avoid sending signals that could encourage adversaries. “We must act in a way that doesn’t tempt the enemy into miscalculation,” he said.
Iran is open to compromise in nuclear talks with the United States, but uranium enrichment remains non-negotiable, CNN reported citing an interview with foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday.
“If the intention is to make sure that Iran’s nuclear program would not be weaponized, I think that’s something that we could simply do,” Baghaei said.
“If the (US) intention is to deprive Iranians of their right to peaceful nuclear energy, I think that would be very problematic to the extent that I think it would really challenge the whole process,” he added.
Asked how a compromise could be reached, he replied, “So many ways,” without elaborating.
Following Tehran and Washington's fifth round of nuclear talks, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that “real progress” had been made in recent talks with Iran and suggested there could be “some good news” in the coming days.
However, in spite of the contentiousness of the issue, Baghaei suggested there is room for maneuver.
“The fact that so far we have continued our talks means that we understand there is a certain level of understanding that Iran cannot under any circumstances give up its right to peaceful nuclear energy,” he said.
Last week, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, ruled out the option of ceasing enrichment.
"Saying things like 'we won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium' is way out of line. No one is waiting for anyone’s permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policy, its own approach, and it will continue to pursue it," he said, going as far as to say he felt it would be the issue to break the talks.
"Indirect negotiations took place (under Raisi) as well—just like now—but without results,” Khamenei said during a memorial ceremony for the late president and others killed in a helicopter crash last May.
“We do not think it would yield results now either. We do not know what will happen.”
Iran is increasingly blending hazardous petrochemicals into its gasoline supply to address a growing shortfall in domestic fuel production, risking environmental damage and endangering public health, according to confidential documents reviewed by Iran Open Data (IOD).
Among the additives is methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a chemical known for its role in groundwater contamination and listed as a potential carcinogen.
Though banned or heavily restricted in numerous countries such as the US, MTBE is reportedly being used in substantial volumes—even in gasoline marketed under European emissions standards, such as Euro 4 and Euro 5.
Unacknowledged chemicals in ‘euro-standard’ fuel
The documents reviewed by IOD detail a system-wide reliance on off-site chemical additives to raise the octane rating of base gasoline. These include MTBE and aromatic octane boosters, which are not derived from conventional refining processes.
Iran’s Shazand refinery, the country’s largest producer of Euro-grade gasoline, blends approximately 350,000 liters of MTBE daily, while the Esfahan refinery adds 325,000 liters per day, according to the data. Both refineries label their fuel as Euro 4 or Euro 5 compliant.
The use of restricted additives contradicts environmental standards associated with the Euro classification, which are designed to reduce emissions and limit pollutants.
Production gap and fuel demand
Iran produced an average of 101 million liters of base gasoline per day in 2024, rising to 121 million liters per day after incorporating roughly 20 million liters of off-site additives. However, daily domestic demand stands at 123.5 million liters, leaving a shortfall of 2.5 million liters.
The shortfall, coupled with economic constraints and sanctions limiting imports and refinery upgrades, has prompted a quiet return to petrochemical-derived gasoline—first adopted during international sanctions in 2010.
Refining limitations and aging infrastructure
In spite of owning the world's second largest natural gas reserves, Iran’s refining infrastructure remains massively underdeveloped resulting from both sanctions and macroeconomic policies in Iran. No new refinery has been commissioned since 2017, and six of the ten major facilities predate the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The Persian Gulf Star refinery, Iran’s largest by volume, produces 39 million liters/day, but none of its output qualifies for Euro-grade certification.
According to IOD, one-third of Iran’s gasoline is officially labeled Euro 4 or Euro 5, but internal documents indicate that even these fuels often contain high-risk chemical additives.
Health and environmental risks
MTBE is widely banned in Europe, the US, and other countries due to its high solubility in water and persistence in the environment. Even trace contamination of groundwater can lead to environmental damage and health risks for the population, making its use in consumer fuels controversial.
In 2014, a Tehran city health official warned that non-standard fuels could increase airborne benzene levels up to 35 times the safe limit.
A 2023 environmental review by Iranian authorities said that just 38% of gasoline met domestic quality standards. The IOD report suggests the problem has since worsened.
Iran maintains one of the world’s lowest gasoline prices—second only to Libya—due to heavy state subsidies, currency depreciation, and the impact of international sanctions.
Officials frequently cite low fuel prices as a driver of excessive consumption and cross-border smuggling, but attempts to increase prices have been shelved amid fears of social unrest.
The government has not publicly addressed the use of MTBE or other additives, and internal reports avoid naming specific chemicals, instead using general terms such as “aromatic octane boosters” or “off-site petrochemical inputs.”
Iran Open Data warns that Iran’s increasing dependence on petrochemical additives, without parallel investment in refining capacity, poses significant long-term risks to public health, environmental safety, and economic sustainability.
“The growing reliance on high-risk additives has become a cornerstone of fuel supply, in the absence of refinery upgrades,” the report said. “This strategy could carry severe health, environmental, and economic consequences.”
Officials from Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum and the Department of Environment did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
