Abbas Araghchi states Tehran refuses to yield to American demands to halt its nuclear development
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Iran will persist with uranium enrichment, undeterred by any coercion from the United States and its partners.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on Saturday, the diplomat indicated that American and Israeli aerial assaults in June did not succeed in disabling the enrichment initiative, which Iran insists is purely for civilian purposes. He mentioned that although some “nuclear substances are still beneath the debris,” the underlying technology “is still operational.”
“We are unable to halt uranium enrichment, and objectives not accomplished through military conflict will not be attained via diplomatic channels,” Araghchi asserted.
He further noted that Iran is still willing to pursue an agreement with the U.S. via indirect discussions, provided that Washington ceases imposing what he characterized as “unfeasible and objectionable preconditions.”
Araghchi additionally stated that Iran’s missile development program was not open for negotiation, remarking, “It would be imprudent to surrender one’s weaponry.”
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, facilitated by Oman, were paused following the commencement of Israel’s 12-day bombing offensive earlier in the year.
In the preceding month, the EU and UK reinstated sanctions against Iran that had been removed as part of the 2015 nuclear accord (JCPOA), an agreement from which the U.S. had previously withdrawn during President Donald Trump’s initial term. Tehran has subsequently declared itself no longer obligated by the JCPOA, which concluded in October.