Iran’s supreme leader has denounced a proposal by the United States aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear efforts and demanded that his country retains national independence amid reports of Washington offering to become involved in Tehran’s nuclear program.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a fiery speech on Wednesday, condemning U.S. demands over its nuclear program as "rude" and "insolent," and accusing Washington of trying to block Iran's progress and self-sufficiency. He warned that the United States "cannot do a damn thing".

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday criticized an initial proposal from the United States in negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, though he stopped short of entirely rejecting the idea of agreement with Washington.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday that abandoning uranium enrichment was “100 percent” against Tehran’s interests, effectively rejecting a key U.S. demand in weeks of tense negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran launched a counterattack on Israel the same day Israel hit Iranian nuclear sites and military bases with airstrikes on June 13.