Nuclear Program Has Turned into a Matter of National Pride: Foreign Minister Araqchi

In an interview with CBS News, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has emphasized that Iran’s “peaceful nuclear program has turned into a matter of national pride and glory.”

Underlining the Islamic Republic’s legitimate right to enrich uranium, he remarked, “We have also gone through 12 days of imposed war; therefore, people will not easily back down from enrichment.”

The foreign minister referred to U.S.-Israeli attempts to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, saying, “One cannot obliterate the technology and science for enrichment through bombings.” Araqchi further said, “If there is this will on our part, and the will exists in order to once again make progress in this industry, we will be able to expeditiously repair the damages and make up for the lost time.”

Regarding the possibility of resuming indirect talks with the United States on the lifting of sanctions and uranium enrichment, he said, “Doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.” However, he added, “I don't think negotiations will restart as quickly as that.”

He also said that the Islamic Republic requires certain assurances from the U.S. to engage in a new round of negotiations. “In order for us to decide to reengage, we will have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations,” he said, “And I think with all these considerations, we still need more time.”

On Iran’s decisive response to the Israeli regime’s aggression, Araqchi said, “We showed during this 12-day imposed war that we have the ability to defend ourselves, and we will continue to do so should any aggression be launched against us.”

On June 13, the Israeli regime started airstrikes on Iran, including its nuclear facilities, killing hundreds of scientists, military personnel and civilians. The United States joined the regime’s war against Iran by attacking nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on June 22.