TEHRAN, Iran, May 20 -- Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday pushed back against US criticism of the country's nuclear program, saying that Tehran won't seek permission from anyone to enrich uranium and calling American statements "nonsense."

"They say, 'We won't allow Iran to enrich uranium.' That's way out of line," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during a memorial for late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last year, AP reports.

"No one in Iran is waiting for their permission. The Islamic Republic has its own policies and direction - and it will stick to them."

Khamenei's remarks came as indirect talks between Iran and the US reportedly continue, though he expressed doubt about their outcome.

Trump and US administrati...