Iran’s Foreign Minister: No to Recognition of Limitations on Uranium Enrichment, Resuming Nuke Talks Possible

Kokcha News Agency reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Erakçi announced Iran’s willingness to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, emphasizing that now is an appropriate time for talks. However, he made it clear that Iran will not accept any limitations on uranium enrichment activities.

During a meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran, Erakçi criticized the recent attack on nuclear facilities and expressed disappointment that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its director, Rafael Grossi, did not condemn the attack, which caused significant damage to Iranian nuclear sites. He pointed out that these acts also attacked international laws and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Despite recent legislation passed by the Iranian parliament that suspend cooperation with the IAEA and mandate the expulsion of inspectors, Erakçi insisted that Iran’s nuclear activities continue and that future cooperation would be managed through the National Security Council, with each case evaluated individually.

He reiterated that Iran does not aim to develop nuclear weapons, asserting that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s fatwa forbids such weapons on religious and humanitarian grounds. “If we intended to develop nuclear weapons, we would have done so long ago or have the strongest excuse now, but our commitment to Islamic principles prevents us from taking that path,” he said.

Regarding the potential restart of negotiations with the US, Erakçi described Iran as “standing victorious with unwavering resistance,” stating that Iran would not be afraid of negotiations after successfully avoiding military conflict. He mentioned receiving messages through intermediaries that guarantee negotiations would not lead to war, and that Iran is reviewing these assurances.

He emphasized: “We have always been ready for talks on our nuclear program and will continue to be so. But if negotiations restart, we must be assured that this process will not lead to war. Any country or actor requesting negotiations must provide serious guarantees that such actions will not recur.”

Erakçi also highlighted that Iran will not accept any agreement that does not recognize its rights regarding uranium enrichment. He further clarified that negotiations will focus solely on guaranteeing the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and that military and missile development issues, such as missile capabilities, will remain outside the scope of talks, as demanded by the US and some European countries.