Iran Insists on Uranium Enrichment Amid Tense Negotiations with US
In a series of statements that have raised the stakes in ongoing talks with the US, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated Iran's non-negotiable stance on its uranium enrichment program and missile defense system. This defiant position comes amid escalating tensions and recent indirect talks between the two nations.
Context of the Standoff
The Foreign Minister's remarks were made during a forum in Tehran, two days after negotiations with the US in Oman, while the US continues to exert pressure on Iran. The talks followed US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in June, marking the first face-to-face meetings since those attacks. President Masoud Pezeshkian described the talks as a step forward,
affirming Iran's commitment to its nuclear rights enshrined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran's Non-Negotiable Stance
Araghchi made it clear that Iran's right to uranium enrichment and its missile program are off the table in any discussions with the US. He insisted that Iran will not give up its uranium enrichment capacity, even under the threat of war. He told Al Jazeera that the discussions will stay focused on the nuclear issue, not the missile program.
Why have we insisted so strongly on enrichment and continue to do so, and why are we not willing to give it up, even if war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to tell us what we should have and what we should not have,
said Araghchi.
Warnings and Defiance
Despite the escalating threats and new sanctions from the US, Iran has shown no signs of backing down. Araghchi indicated that Iran could strike American bases in the Middle East if the US attacked the country. He emphasized that Iran is ready for a deal with the US, provided it includes peaceful nuclear enrichment.
The American military pressure does not intimidate the Islamic Republic,
Araghchi said. He warned that talks with the US would not succeed without a recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium.
We are a man of diplomacy, we are also a man of war; not in the sense that we seek war, but … we are ready to fight so that no one dares to fight us,
he told Press TV.
Ongoing Tensions and Uncertain Future
The situation remains tense as Iran continues to defy US pressure. The new round of sanctions announced by Washington shortly after the talks in Oman has further complicated the situation. However, both sides have agreed to continue talks, with Araghchi calling the negotiations a good start.
As the world watches, it's clear that the ongoing Iran-US talks are pivotal in shaping the future of international relations in the region. Despite the escalating threats and Iran's defiance, there's hope that both parties will find a peaceful resolution to this standoff.