Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi firmly stated on Saturday that Tehran will not compromise on its nuclear rights, particularly if ongoing discussions with the United States are geared toward limiting those rights, according to a Reuters report.
Araghchi, speaking from Doha just before the next round of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. in Oman, emphasized that the Iranian government sees its nuclear program as untouchable and not open for bargaining.
“If the goal of the negotiations is to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, I state clearly that Iran will not back down from any of its rights,” Araghchi was quoted as saying by Iranian state media.
He also reiterated Iran’s stance that the country’s nuclear agenda is centered on peaceful energy production and not weaponization. “In its indirect talks with the United States, Iran emphasizes its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy and clearly declares that it is not seeking nuclear weapons,” he stated.
Araghchi stressed that Tehran remains committed to diplomatic efforts, but warned that any effort to curtail Iran’s nuclear sovereignty would be a dealbreaker. “Iran continues negotiations in good faith, and if the goal of these talks is to ensure the non-acquisition of nuclear weapons, an agreement is possible. However, if the aim is to limit Iran’s nuclear rights, Iran will never retreat from its rights,” Araghchi stated.
Iranian officials have repeatedly maintained that enriching uranium is a fundamental right of the nation and have resisted calls—especially from Washington—for a full stop to enrichment, a concept known as “zero enrichment.”
Just a day earlier, Steve Witkoff, the special envoy on Iran appointed by President Donald Trump, told reporters that any pact with Tehran must include a complete shutdown of Iran’s enrichment operations. He said, “Iran’s enrichment facilities have to be dismantled.”
Trump, while expressing a preference for diplomatic resolution, has consistently signaled that military intervention remains a viable option.
Earlier this week, Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran regarding its nuclear program. “I would much prefer a strong, verified deal where we actually blow them up… or just de-nuke them,” he said, referring to Iran’s centrifuges.
“There are only two alternatives there, blow them up nicely or blow them up viciously,” Trump stated.
{Matzav.com}