Latest news with #uraniumenrichment
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Business
- SBS Australia
'National pride': Iran says it will not halt nuclear enrichment ahead of European talks
Iran has no plans to abandon its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, despite the "severe" damage caused by United States strikes to its facilities, the country's foreign minister said ahead of renewed talks with European powers. Iran is scheduled to meet the United Kingdom, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday, to discuss its nuclear program, with Iran accusing European countries of scuppering a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Before the conflict, Iran and the US 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 US say Iran was close to enriching to levels that would allow it to quickly produce a nuclear weapon, while Iran says its enrichment program is for civilian purposes only. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News' Special Report with Bret Baier on Tuesday AEST: "It is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe. But obviously, we cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists." "And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," he said. US President Donald Trump responded to the comments on his platform Truth Social, saying the US would carry out strikes again "if necessary". The 2015 agreement, reached between Iran and United Nations Security Council permanent members — UK, China, France, Russia and the US —plus Germany, imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. But it unravelled in 2018 when the US, during Trump's first term, unilaterally withdrew and reimposed sweeping sanctions. Though Europe pledged continued support, a mechanism intended to offset US sanctions never effectively materialised, forcing many Western firms to exit Iran and deepening its economic crisis. "Iran holds the European parties responsible for negligence in implementing the agreement," said foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei ahead of Friday's talks in Istanbul on the deal's future. Iran will also host a trilateral meeting on Tuesday with representatives from China and Russia to discuss the nuclear issue and potential sanctions. The Chinese foreign ministry said China would "continue to play a constructive role in pushing relevant sides to restart dialogue and negotiations, and reach a solution that takes in account the legitimate concerns of all parties". In recent weeks, the three European powers have threatened to reimpose international sanctions on Iran, accusing it of breaching its nuclear commitments. Germany said the Istanbul talks would be at the expert level, with the European trio, or E3, working "flat out" to find a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution. "If no solution is reached by the end of August ... the snapback also remains an option for the E3," said its foreign ministry spokesperson, Martin Giese. A clause in the 2015 agreement allows for UN sanctions on Iran to be reimposed through a "snapback" mechanism in the event of non-compliance. But the agreement expires in October, leaving a tight deadline. 'No intention of speaking with America' The UN nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 per cent — far beyond the 3.67 per cent cap set by the 2015 accord. That is a short step from the 90 per cent enrichment required for a nuclear weapon. Using the snapback clause was "meaningless, unjustifiable and immoral", Baqaei told a news conference, arguing that Iran only started distancing itself from the agreement in response to Western non-compliance. "Iran's reduction of its commitments was carried out in accordance with the provisions outlined in the agreement," he said. "At this stage, we have no intention of speaking with America." Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. The IAEA says it has "no credible indication" of an active, coordinated weapons program in Iran. Iran maintains its nuclear program is solely meant for civilian purposes. Israel is the only Middle Eastern country believed to have nuclear weapons and said its attack against Iran was aimed at preventing Iran from developing its own nuclear weapons.
Al Arabiya
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Billions lost, nothing gained: The strategic collapse of Iran's nuclear program
In order to evaluate the true status of Iran's nuclear program following the recent joint Israeli and US military strikes, two main aspects must be carefully examined: the physical infrastructure that forms the backbone of the program, and the stockpiles of enriched uranium that give the program its potential for weaponization. These two elements – hardware and material – are not interchangeable. One without the other renders a nuclear ambition incomplete. And in the case of Iran, both have taken devastating blows, raising the question of whether decades of national sacrifice, international confrontation, and financial commitment have just been rendered meaningless. Iran's nuclear infrastructure – the physical sites, centrifuge arrays, underground bunkers, laboratories, and research facilities – has been systematically crippled. These were not minor tactical strikes but a calculated, technologically sophisticated campaign designed to render key facilities inoperable for the foreseeable future. The Isfahan Nuclear Technology Research Center, long considered a linchpin in Iran's uranium enrichment chain, was among the most severely hit. Satellite images reveal scorched tunnel entrances, collapsed roof structures, and targeted penetrations deep underground. Experts who have reviewed the aftermath suggest that centrifuge production lines, command control systems, and clean room laboratories have been wiped out or rendered unusable. In effect, what took decades to build – with precision engineering, international procurement efforts, and highly trained scientific teams – was largely eliminated in under two weeks. It is not merely a symbolic setback; it is a material and operational catastrophe for the program. Rebuilding this infrastructure is not a matter of weeks or months. It will require a minimum of two to three years under ideal conditions – assuming there are no more foreign strikes, no new sanctions, and no loss of technical expertise. And those assumptions themselves are increasingly unrealistic. Iran would need to reconstruct centrifuge production sites from scratch, secure the highly specialized components needed for uranium enrichment, and establish the high-purity conditions needed for functioning nuclear research. Even more critically, the government would need to reassemble a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians with the unique experience necessary to safely and secretly run such a program. All this must be done while under the close scrutiny of Israeli intelligence, US surveillance, and likely sabotage efforts from multiple intelligence agencies. While the infrastructure lies in ruins, a separate question remains: what happened to Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium? Before the attacks, Iran had accumulated a considerable reserve – over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, according to international watchdogs and leaked intelligence assessments. This level of enrichment brings Iran close to weapons-grade material, although it still falls short of the 90 percent threshold typically needed for a bomb. There have been some reports suggesting that a portion of this uranium may have been hidden or moved prior to the strikes. However, even if some of this material remains intact, it is of limited strategic value without the ability to further refine, convert, and weaponize it. Weaponization is not a matter of simply having enriched uranium. It requires an entire industrial and scientific apparatus. Iran would need functioning cascades of advanced centrifuges to continue enrichment. It would require weapon design expertise – knowledge of implosion methods, neutron initiators, and detonation mechanics. Then there is the challenge of developing a reliable delivery mechanism, typically a missile or other launch platform, capable of housing and delivering a nuclear warhead. Every one of these steps requires testing, verification, and expert oversight. Without the infrastructure, none of this is feasible. The enriched uranium, if it even exists in usable form, is now essentially inert. Compounding the damage to Iran's material assets is the staggering loss of human capital. At least 14 nuclear scientists and technicians were reportedly killed in the Israeli airstrikes. These were not replaceable technicians or anonymous bureaucrats. They represented the intellectual engine of the nuclear program – experts in isotope separation, nuclear metallurgy, weapons design, and high-level engineering. Training new personnel to this level of specialization takes years, sometimes decades. Moreover, in a climate of growing fear, surveillance, and instability, it will be increasingly difficult for Iran to attract young scientists to this field, especially when the risks of assassination, targeted strikes, or internal betrayal are so high. The loss of this brain trust may be even more devastating in the long term than the physical destruction of buildings and machines. All of this comes against the backdrop of a resurgent Israeli military policy toward Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it abundantly clear: if Iran makes any move to rebuild its nuclear capabilities or pursue a weapon, Israel will strike again. Israel's doctrine is preemption, not deterrence. This recent operation demonstrated not just Israel's air superiority, but also its precision strike capability deep inside Iranian territory. The use of advanced drones, bunker-busting missiles, and real-time intelligence reflects a level of surveillance and access inside Iran that is extraordinary. It suggests that Israeli agents or cyber networks have most likely infiltrated even the most secretive elements of Iran's nuclear and military programs. In short, Iran is being watched continuously and closely – and any revival attempt will likely be identified and neutralized before it can gain momentum. This brings us to the sobering reality of what Iran's nuclear program represents today: a cautionary tale. The Islamic Republic has poured tens of billions of dollars over the decades into this endeavor. It has isolated itself diplomatically, suffered under relentless economic sanctions, lost countless opportunities for trade and cooperation, and placed the Iranian people under constant threat of war – all in pursuit of a nuclear deterrent that, in the end, may never materialize. Iran engaged in high-stakes brinkmanship with the West, negotiated and then violated nuclear agreements, and maintained a narrative of resistance and national pride centered on its nuclear ambitions. And yet, all of that has now been nearly erased in a matter of 12 days. The centrifuges, the research sites, the scientists, the material – it has all been shattered. This outcome offers deeper lessons beyond military and technical implications. It underscores the immense danger of provoking powerful enemies with vastly superior military capabilities. It highlights the cost of allowing ideology and rivalry to dictate national policy. Instead of building bridges with its neighbors, Iran pursued influence through proxies, militias, and nuclear threats. Instead of investing in prosperity, innovation, and regional peace, it spent its resources on uranium enrichment and missile development. And now, after decades of effort, what remains is rubble and mourning. The Iranian leadership must now face a critical decision point. If it attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, it is almost certain to face further Israeli attacks – possibly even deeper and more lethal. The infrastructure is gone, the scientific talent has been decimated, and the world is watching with heightened attention. Rebuilding is not just a technical challenge – it is a geopolitical dare to those who have already demonstrated their willingness to act decisively. There is no illusion of secrecy anymore. There is no diplomatic cover left. The message is clear: another move toward weaponization, and the next wave of strikes will follow. In the final assessment, there can be little doubt that Iran's nuclear program has been dramatically and significantly damaged. Its foundational elements – machines, minds, and material – have all been compromised. What took decades to build was dismantled in less than two weeks. The future of Iran's nuclear ambitions now lies under heavy surveillance and even heavier consequences. Whether Iran chooses to escalate, rebuild, or pivot to diplomacy will determine not only the fate of its nuclear program, but potentially the future of the region.
Al Mayadeen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Tehran weighs US request for renewed nuclear talks: Report
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently reviewing a US request to resume nuclear negotiations, informed sources told Mehr News Agency on Tuesday. The overture, transmitted through intermediaries from multiple countries, comes in the aftermath of a failed US military campaign to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure and amid growing international pressure to de-escalate tensions. The request reportedly outlines a potential agenda that includes the lifting of sanctions, setting limits on uranium enrichment, and addressing compensation, possibly linked to the recent 12-day war that followed coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. While Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed the specifics, diplomatic sources say the Foreign Ministry is assessing both the validity of the US proposals and the broader context in which such talks could occur. This development comes against the backdrop of a major shift in regional diplomacy. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed Ankara's role in relaying the US position to Tehran. Speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Brazil, Fidan revealed that he had discussed the matter in separate meetings with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. He noted that Turkey had also raised the topic at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit, underscoring Ankara's intermediary role in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. The renewed US interest in diplomacy follows widespread criticism of the Trump administration's pre-emptive military strike. As The Atlantic recently revealed, Trump had decided to attack Iran's nuclear facilities days before publicly suggesting renewed talks, an act widely seen as a calculated deception. While administration officials declared the mission a success, US military assessments and independent experts have cast doubt on its effectiveness, pointing to limited damage and Iran's rapid repositioning of key nuclear assets. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has since laid out clear conditions for any future negotiations: the continuation of domestic uranium enrichment, complete sanctions removal, and a formal commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons. He added that any future diplomatic framework must take into account Iran's demand for reparations and reflect the new political reality following what Tehran considers an illegal act of aggression. Adding to the diplomatic strain, Iran has suspended all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and barred its director, Rafael Grossi, from entering the country. Additionally, Iranian officials accuse Grossi of leaking sensitive nuclear data to "Israel," resulting in the murder of hundreds of civilians. Read more: IAEA to be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments: Lavrov Despite these tensions, both Iranian and Turkish officials have indicated that diplomacy is not off the table. As Araghchi put it in a recent interview, "The doors of diplomacy will never be closed", but Tehran insists any return to talks must be grounded in mutual respect, accountability, and irreversible safeguards against future aggression.
Al Arabiya
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Khamenei advisor says no nuclear talks if US insists Iran abandon enrichment
Iran will not take part in talks with the United States over its nuclear program if Washington insists Tehran abandon uranium enrichment, an advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Monday. 'If the negotiations must be conditioned on stopping enrichment, such negotiations will not take place,' advisor Ali Velayati was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA. Earlier on Monday, Iran said it had 'no specific date' for a meeting with the United States on Tehran's nuclear program, following a war with Israel that had derailed negotiations. 'For now, no specific date, time or location has been determined regarding this matter,' said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei of plans for a meeting between Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Araghchi and Witkoff met starting in April, without concluding a deal after five rounds of talks that were the highest-level contact between their two countries since Washington in 2018 abandoned a landmark nuclear agreement. The Omani-mediated negotiations were halted as Israel launched surprise strikes on the nuclear facilities of its staunch enemy Iran on June 13, starting a 12-day war which the United States later joined. 'We have been serious in diplomacy and the negotiation process, we entered with good faith, but as everyone witnessed, before the sixth round the Zionist regime, in coordination with the United States, committed military aggression against Iran,' said Baghaei. President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement on Monday that Iran 'supports diplomacy and constructive engagement.' 'We continue to believe that the window for diplomacy remains open, and we will seriously pursue this peaceful path.' Israel and Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has consistently denied. While it is the only non-nuclear power to enrich uranium to 60-percent purity, close to the level needed for a warhead, the UN's atomic energy watchdog has said it had no indication that Iran was working to weaponize its stockpiles. Israel's offensive last month, which it said was aimed at thwarting a nuclear threat from the Islamic Republic, killed nuclear scientists and top-ranking military officers as well as hitting military, nuclear and other sites and residential areas. The United States launched its own set of strikes against Iran's nuclear program on June 22, hitting the uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, in Qom province south of Tehran, as well as nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz. The extent of the damage from the strikes remains unknown, and Baghaei said it was 'still under investigation.' Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, and attacked a US base in Qatar in retaliation for Washington's strikes. Pezeshkian in his latest statement warned of an 'even more crushing retaliation' to any 'new aggression against Iranian territory.' Baghaei said on Monday that Iran remains in contact with Britain, France and Germany, the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal that the United States later withdrew from. The Europeans have threatened to trigger the 'snapback' mechanism under the 2015 agreement, which allows the reimposition of UN sanctions in the event of non-compliance. Baghaei said Tehran was 'in continuous contact with these three countries' but added that he 'cannot provide an exact date' for the next meeting with them. There was 'no legal, moral or political basis' for reimposing sanctions, according to Baghaei, as Iran was still committed to the 2015 agreement. The ministry spokesman added that such a move would be met with an 'appropriate and proportionate' response, following Iranian threats to quit the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. After the United States pulled out of the nuclear accord during Donald Trump's first term as president, Iran in 2019 began rolling back its commitments to the agreement that restricts its atomic activities in return for sanctions relief. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran still considers itself a member of the JCPOA,' Baghaei said of the 2015 deal.
Asharq Al-Awsat
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Russia Slams Report it Backed 'Zero Enrichment' Iran Nuclear Deal
Russia's foreign affairs ministry on Sunday described reports claiming that President Vladimir Putin had encouraged his Iranian ally to accept a "zero enrichment" agreement on its nuclear programme as "defamation". US news outlet Axios reported on Saturday, citing three anonymous sources familiar with the matter, that Putin had "encouraged" Iran to accept a deal with the United States that would prevent the Islamic republic from enriching uranium. The article "appears to be a new political defamation campaign aimed at exacerbating tensions around Iran's nuclear program", the Russian ministry of foreign affairs said on Sunday. "Invariably and repeatedly, we have emphasised the necessity of resolving the crisis concerning Iran's nuclear program exclusively through political and diplomatic means, and expressed our willingness to help find mutually acceptable solutions," the statement read. Publicly, Moscow has defended Tehran's right to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes but in recent months, Putin has also drawn closer to US President Donald Trump. On June 13, Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, triggering a 12-day war. The conflict halted negotiations initiated in April between Tehran and Washington to frame Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Iran. On June 22, the United States bombed the underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, south of Tehran, and nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. The exact extent of the damage is not known.
