logo
Tehran to Continue Nuclear Enrichment as Trump Threatens US Could Again Strike Iran's Nuclear Sites

Tehran to Continue Nuclear Enrichment as Trump Threatens US Could Again Strike Iran's Nuclear Sites

Asharq Al-Awsat9 hours ago
Iran has no plans to abandon its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, despite 'severe' damage to its facilities after US strikes last month, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday.
'For now, enrichment is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe,' Araghchi said in an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier.
'But obviously we cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists,' he added, calling it a source of 'national pride.'
The FM stressed that any future nuclear deal would have to contain the right to enrichment.
When asked whether any enriched uranium had been saved from the strikes, Araghchi said he had 'no detailed information,' but that Iran's Atomic Energy Organization is 'trying to evaluate what has exactly happened to our nuclear material, to our enriched material.'
He also said Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was in 'good health' and that Tehran was open to talks with Washington but that those will not be direct 'for the time being.'
In response to Araghchi's comments, US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could strike Iran's nuclear sites again 'if necessary.'
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Monday, 'Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: 'Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.' Of course they are, just like I said.'
Meanwhile, Araghchi said Iran remains open to indirect talks with the Trump administration following the strikes on Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, but cautioned that Iran will not give up nuclear enrichment in any potential deal.
Prior to the war, Tehran and Washington held five rounds of nuclear talks mediated by Oman but could not agree on the extent to which Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium. Israel and Washington say Iran was close to enriching to levels that would allow it to quickly produce a nuclear weapon, while Tehran says its enrichment program is for civilian purposes only.
Araghchi also confirmed that his country would continue to develop and manufacture missiles.
Despite multiple barrages of missiles launched at Israel and waves of Israeli attacks on its bases and launchers, the FM said: 'We still have a good number of missiles to defend ourselves.'
He also denied that Iran wants to wipe Israel 'off the map.'
Moreover, Araghchi asserted that Tehran would continue to support Palestinian and other armed groups. 'We believe that these groups – Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis – are fighting for a just cause.'
Criticism
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards-affiliated Fars News Agency criticized Araghchi's interview.
The news agency said on Tuesday Araghchi's acknowledgment that the US strikes caused 'serious damage' to nuclear facilities and led to a halt in enrichment signaled weakness.
Fars called the remarks exaggerated and warned that such statements could be viewed as a sign of excessive flexibility.
It also said Araghchi should not have dismissed clerical fatwas issued in Iran calling for the killing of Trump. 'Araghchi should not have referred the fatwas to radical groups,' it wrote.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker told Fox News on Tuesday that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
'I don't believe a single word that the Iranian foreign minister says,' Whitaker said.
He continued: 'He's not a credible voice for peace. I think it is time for Iran to come to the table and negotiate with the United States of America on a path towards peace and prosperity for the Iranian people.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Israel, Ukraine announce ‘dialogue' on countering Iran
Israel, Ukraine announce ‘dialogue' on countering Iran

Al Arabiya

timean hour ago

  • Al Arabiya

Israel, Ukraine announce ‘dialogue' on countering Iran

Israel and Ukraine said Wednesday they had agreed to start talks on countering the 'threat' posed by Iran, in a sign of deepening ties between the two countries. Both see Iran, a close ally of Russia, as a malign actor on the world stage. Israel has long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran denies, while Ukraine is regularly attacked from Russia by Iranian-designed drones. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described Iran as an 'existential threat' to global security during a joint press conference in Kyiv with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar – the most senior Israeli official to visit Ukraine since 2023. 'Our countries face common security challenges. Today we have decided to launch a separate dialogue on the Iranian threat,' Sybiha said. Saar said any effort to curb Tehran's access to weapons and technology contributed to the security of Europe and Ukraine. 'I thank President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government for its position that Iran must not have nuclear weapons,' he said. Ukraine has expressed frustration at Israel's neutral stance on the Russian invasion, but the two share common interests. Kyiv has long accused Tehran of supplying military hardware to Moscow. Last month, Israel launched a surprise bombing campaign against Iran with the stated aim of destroying military and nuclear sites, an action that Kyiv supported.

Iran says it confronted US ship in Gulf
Iran says it confronted US ship in Gulf

Al Arabiya

time3 hours ago

  • Al Arabiya

Iran says it confronted US ship in Gulf

Iranian forces confronted a US destroyer in the Gulf on Wednesday, warning it to stay out of waters claimed by Tehran, state television reported Thursday -- a month after US strikes on the Islamic republic. An Iranian army helicopter flew over the USS Fitzgerald at about 10:00 am (0630 GMT) after the vessel 'attempted to approach the waters under the supervision' of Iran, the broadcaster said. The destroyer issued threats of its own, state TV said, adding however that 'the Iranian pilot firmly continued the mission and reiterated the warning to stay away from Iranian waters.' Iranian forces then urged the US ship to 'alter its course southward', forcing it to 'give in' and turn away. There was no immediate comment from the US Navy. Iranian forces have a history of confronting US forces in the Gulf. In 2023, Tehran said it forced a US submarine to surface while crossing the strategic Strait of Hormuz -- a claim Washington denied. The latest confrontation comes after US strikes on June 22 targeted Iran's nuclear sites during a 12-day war with Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the damage was 'serious and severe' but insisted uranium enrichment would continue.

France says Israel blockade led to ‘risk of famine' in Gaza
France says Israel blockade led to ‘risk of famine' in Gaza

Al Arabiya

time3 hours ago

  • Al Arabiya

France says Israel blockade led to ‘risk of famine' in Gaza

France's foreign ministry said Wednesday malnutrition and the 'risk of famine' in war-torn Gaza was the 'result of the blockade imposed by Israel' on the Palestinian territory. Israel's ramping up of military operations in Gaza this week 'is accelerating the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, marked by malnutrition and the risk of famine. This situation is the result of the blockade imposed by Israel,' a spokesman said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store