Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran will persist with its uranium enrichment activities despite recent setbacks caused by US and Israeli airstrikes.
In an interview with Fox News, he emphasized that Iran’s enrichment is a matter of national pride and an achievement of its scientists, making it non-negotiable.
Iran’s nuclear facilities were “seriously damaged” by US missile strikes last month but the regime intends to continue uranium enrichment efforts once they are rebuilt, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Monday.
“Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged, the extent of which is now under evaluation,” Araghchi told Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier.
“The facilities have been destroyed,” he later acknowledged, noting that Iran hasn’t been able to refine nuclear fuel since President Trump ordered military strikes on three uranium enrichment sites on June 22.
However, Araghchi also expressed Iran’s willingness to engage in diplomatic talks with the United States, though not directly at this time. He indicated that Iran is prepared to take confidence-building measures to demonstrate its nuclear program’s peaceful nature and has historically negotiated similar agreements, referencing the 2015 JCPOA deal.
Iran’s goal is to reach a negotiated solution that includes the lifting of sanctions in exchange for assurances of peaceful nuclear activities.
The foreign minister highlighted Iran’s readiness to re-engage in negotiations, suggesting that a mutual, win-win resolution is possible, and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace and non-proliferation.
This statement comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities and recent military strikes that have impacted its nuclear infrastructure. Iran and the US had previously engaged in talks earlier this year, aiming to revive the JCPOA, which was abandoned by the US in 2018.
After the interview aired, Trump took to Truth Social and demanded an apology from CNN, whom he claims doubted the effectiveness of the airstrikes.
“Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: ‘Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.’ Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary! As interviewed by Bret Baier,” Trump wrote.
“Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony ‘reporter’ and apologize to me and the great pilots who ‘OBLITERATED’ Iran’s nuclear sites. CNN is a major ratings loser, as is MSDNC!” the president added.
