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.

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal was against Tehran's national power. "The U.S. nuclear proposal contradicts our nation's belief in self-reliance and the principle of 'We Can'," Khamenei said in a speech.

An outline by the Trump administration would allow Iran to continue enriching uranium at low levels while a broader arrangement is worked out that would block the country’s path to a nuclear weapon.