Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed on Saturday that uranium enrichment is a fundamental national right and a key necessity for the country, firmly rejecting any international demands to end the process.
Speaking at a press conference at the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran, Araghchi emphasized that uranium enrichment has always been a core issue for Iran in both previous and ongoing nuclear negotiations.
“The position that ‘Iran should not enrich uranium because we are concerned’ is entirely unacceptable to us,” he said. “Being told we cannot have enrichment because of others’ concerns is fundamentally rejecting our sovereignty. No one in Iran will accept being denied this right—it would be submission to foreign dominance."
Araghchi clarified that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and has consistently opposed them. “If the concern is about nuclear weapons, let me be clear -- nuclear weapons are also unacceptable for Iran. We have always rejected them and continue to do so. On this matter, we share common ground with the other parties,” he stated.
He went on to criticize the lack of action from other countries under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), urging them to meet their disarmament obligations. “If they are truly committed to rejecting nuclear weapons, they should fulfill their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and move toward disarmament. However, they have never done so,” he added.
Araghchi stressed that Iran’s pursuit of peaceful nuclear technology is grounded in international law and is a right that must not be denied due to the political agendas of other nations. He also described Iran’s approach to nuclear policy as one driven by a responsibility to future generations and rooted in legal norms.
The remarks came amid five rounds of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. These discussions, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi, took place on April 12, 19, and 26 and May 11 and 23. The first and third rounds were held in Muscat, Oman, while the second round took place in Rome, Italy. Araghchi led the Iranian delegation, while the U.S. was represented by Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Steve Witkoff.
