State television said Khamenei lashed out at critics who say the nuclear drive could cost Iran too much, saying the country's huge oil and gas reserves "would not last forever."
"Nuclear energy is the future and destiny of the country," Khamenei said, according to a Reuters report that quoted state television.
Iran has four days remaining until a United Nations Security Council deadline runs out to halt its uranium-enrichment program or face possible sanctions.
Enriched uranium can be used for civilian nuclear fuel, but if it is enriched to a higher degree, it can also be used for weapons.
U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has criticized Tehran for obfuscation and said it has not seen convincing evidence to persuade them that Iran's nuclear program is solely peaceful.
(AFP, dpa)
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