Under Fire but Unyielding: Iran Refuses to Halt Nuclear Work

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment programme, despite extensive damage caused by coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes last month.

In a televised interview with Fox News aired Monday, Araghchi described the enrichment programme as both a scientific milestone and a matter of national dignity.

“Operations are currently halted due to serious damage, yes,” he admitted, “but we cannot relinquish enrichment.

It’s an achievement of our own scientists, and more than that, it’s now a symbol of national pride.”

Araghchi also signaled a cautious openness to renewed diplomatic engagement with Washington, though he clarified that Iran is not ready for direct talks at this stage.

“We are open to discussions,” he said.

“If they [the U.S.] come to the table seeking a win-win solution, I’m prepared to engage.”

He emphasized Iran’s willingness to adopt confidence-building measures to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme.

“We are ready to assure the world that our nuclear activities are and will remain peaceful.

“Iran has no ambition for nuclear weapons. In return, we expect the United States to lift its sanctions,” he said.

“My message to the United States is this: let’s seek a negotiated path forward.”

During the 16-minute interview, broadcast on a network closely monitored by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s position that a diplomatic solution is still achievable.

“We’ve done this before.

“There’s no reason we can’t do it again,” he stated.

The two nations had resumed indirect negotiations earlier this year in an effort to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

These negotiations saw Iran limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspections in return for sanction relief.

The Trump administration withdrew from the deal in 2018, citing allegations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran was running a clandestine nuclear weapons programme, claims that Tehran has consistently denied.

Iran maintains that its nuclear enrichment is exclusively for civilian purposes, such as energy production and medical research.

Attempts to revive the JCPOA suffered a major blow on June 13, when Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.

The United States reportedly joined the offensive, with the Pentagon later stating that the operation had delayed Iran’s nuclear development by up to two years.

The escalation resulted in heavy casualties, with over 900 people killed in Iran and at least 28 fatalities in Israel before a ceasefire was reached on June 24.

Araghchi revealed that Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation is still assessing the full impact of the strikes on its stockpiled enriched uranium.

He said that Iran would “soon inform” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its findings and that any future inspection requests would be evaluated carefully.

“Our cooperation with the IAEA has not ended,” he claimed.

However, Iran’s ties with the IAEA have grown tense.

Earlier this month, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed legislation suspending formal cooperation with the agency, prompting IAEA inspectors to leave the country.

The move followed a resolution passed by the IAEA board on June 12 accusing Iran of failing to meet its nuclear commitments.

This is a resolution Iranian officials said gave Israel a pretext for its attacks.

Iranian authorities have sharply criticized the IAEA and its director, Rafael Grossi, suggesting that the resolution played a direct role in triggering the military escalation that followed.

Meanwhile, the international community is watching developments closely.

On Monday, United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric welcomed renewed diplomatic efforts between Tehran and European nations.

Talks involving Iran, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to take place in Turkiye on Friday.

European signatories to the JCPOA have warned that if Iran does not resume serious negotiations, they may push for a reinstatement of international sanctions.

Tehran’s next moves, both diplomatically and technically, will likely shape the future of the already fragile nuclear agreement.

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