Iran says Enrichment capability Intact, Warns US Against Military Aggression

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Iran retains its uranium enrichment capabilities and will decide when and how to resume activities based on evolving circumstances.

In an interview with Financial Times, Araqchi said that Iran reserves the right to resume its enrichment program, adding that the when and how would depend on the conditions.

He warned the US must realize technology cannot be destroyed by bombs. Only negotiations can lead to an agreement that satisfies both sides, he said.

Tehran and Washington were involved in indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman when Israel launched large-scale aggression against Iran on June 13. Washington also joined the Israeli war of aggression and bombed three of Iran’s main nuclear facilities on the pretext of preventing Iran from what it claimed to be developing nuclear weapons.

According to Araqchi, if America’s main concern is that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, that is achievable.

He said military aggression has shown the futility of force against Iran’s nuclear program, warning that continued confrontation would not only complicate diplomacy but could eliminate the chance of returning to talks.

Iran, he said, will only rejoin negotiations if convinced of Washington’s genuine intent for a win-win deal.

Araqchi also criticized the European parties’ invocation of the so-called “snapback mechanism” under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying that triggering the mechanism marks the end of their role in nuclear talks.