Iran has ruled out suspending its uranium enrichment program, despite serious damage caused by recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities. The announcement comes just days before important talks with European powers in Istanbul.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that while uranium enrichment was briefly stopped after the strikes, Iran will not abandon its efforts. He said uranium enrichment is a matter of “national pride” and a key scientific achievement for Iran.
“The damages are serious and severe… but obviously we cannot give up enrichment,” Araghchi said. He emphasized that enrichment is tied to the work of Iranian scientists and will continue.
The strikes by the United States reportedly targeted nuclear sites in Qom, Isfahan, and Natanz. These came during a recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
Iran is scheduled to meet with Britain, France, and Germany — known as the E3 — on Friday in Istanbul. These talks aim to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal was meant to limit Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
However, the JCPOA has been under strain since the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Since then, Iran has gradually scaled back its commitments.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran would hold the European countries responsible for not fulfilling their side of the deal. He added that Friday’s talks would focus on restoring the agreement and ensuring all parties meet their commitments.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry also warned that if no solution is reached by the end of August, UN sanctions could return under the JCPOA’s “snapback” clause.
Meanwhile, Iran is preparing for a separate meeting with Chinese and Russian officials on Tuesday. Both nations have supported Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear development. China also promised to play a “constructive role” in the diplomatic efforts.
According to the IAEA, Iran remains the only country without nuclear weapons enriching uranium up to 60% — far above the JCPOA limit of 3.67%. Western nations, led by the U.S. and supported by Israel, fear Iran is moving toward weapons-grade levels, though Tehran denies these claims.
Efforts to restart direct talks between the U.S. and Iran have stalled. Iran confirmed that no meeting with the U.S. is planned for now.
