Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran will not abandon enrichment rights even under threat of war, as U.S.–Iran nuclear talks resume amid new sanctions and regional military deployments.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iran will not relinquish its right to enrich uranium under any circumstances, even if doing so risks military conflict with the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday, casting doubt on Washington’s commitment to renewed nuclear negotiations and dismissing U.S. military pressure as ineffective.
Speaking at a forum in Tehran attended by journalists, Araghchi said Iran has little confidence in the United States and questioned whether Washington is negotiating in good faith following the resumption of talks in Oman on Friday—the first formal discussions between the two countries in years.
“Why do we insist so much on enrichment and refuse to give it up, even if a war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to dictate our behaviour,” Araghchi said.
He added that U.S. military movements in the region, including the arrival of an aircraft carrier, would not alter Iran’s position. “Their military deployment in the region does not scare us,” he said, referring to the USS Abraham Lincoln operating in the Arabian Sea.
The talks in Oman marked a tentative reopening of dialogue between Tehran and Washington, with Iran seeking relief from U.S. economic sanctions in exchange for what Araghchi described as “a series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear programme.” Western governments and Israel have long accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapon, an allegation Tehran has repeatedly denied.
“They fear our atomic bomb, while we are not looking for one,” Araghchi said. “Our atomic bomb is the power to say ‘no’ to the great powers.”
Araghchi’s remarks followed a visit Saturday by U.S. lead negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to the USS Abraham Lincoln, a move widely interpreted as underscoring the possibility of U.S. military action should diplomacy fail. U.S. Central Command confirmed the visit, and Witkoff later said the carrier strike group was “keeping us safe and upholding President Trump’s message of peace through strength.”
Despite the heightened rhetoric, both sides have publicly signaled cautious optimism. President Donald Trump described the talks as “very good,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on social media that the discussions “constitute a step forward.”
At the same time, Washington has continued to apply economic pressure. Following the Oman talks, Trump signed an executive order calling for the imposition of tariffs on countries that continue doing business with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The United States also announced new sanctions targeting shipping companies and vessels linked to Iran’s oil exports.
Araghchi said those actions undermine confidence in the negotiations. “The continuation of certain sanctions and military actions raise doubts about the seriousness and readiness of the other side to conduct genuine negotiations,” he said, adding that Iran is “monitoring the situation closely” and will decide whether to continue talks based on U.S. conduct.
The renewed diplomacy comes amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the region and ongoing scrutiny of Iran’s internal security situation following a crackdown on protests that began in late December over economic grievances.
Iranian authorities acknowledged Sunday that 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, releasing a list of 2,986 names that officials said largely included security personnel and bystanders. International organizations have reported higher figures. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it has verified 6,961 deaths—mostly protesters—with more than 11,600 additional cases under investigation and over 51,000 arrests recorded.
As negotiations proceed, Araghchi said Iran remains wary of U.S. intentions, stressing that Tehran will not compromise what it considers its sovereign rights under pressure or threat.
Original article
Comments