FM: Iran rules out negotiating uranium enrichment principle

Iran will not negotiate over its fundamental right to enrich uranium, although it is open to addressing related concerns, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on April 16.

Speaking about Iran’s right to enrichment amid ongoing nuclear talks with the United States, Araghchi made clear that the issue is not up for discussion, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Iranian media.

“Enrichment in Iran is an actual and real fact,” he stated. “We are prepared to build trust about the possible concerns, but the principle of enrichment is non-negotiable.”

Araghchi also delivered a warning to Washington, emphasising that pressure tactics would not yield results. “Nothing would be gained under pressures,” he said, stressing that progress could only be achieved through negotiations based on mutual respect.

He criticised what he described as contradictory positions from the American side, saying such behaviour is counterproductive to the negotiations. “The contradictory American stances are not helpful for the process of talks,” he remarked. However, he added that if the US adopted a constructive approach, there could be hope for initiating negotiations based on a tentative agreement framework.

The foreign minister also announced plans to travel to Russia to personally deliver a written message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

His remarks came days after delegations from Iran and the US met for a round of indirect talks in Muscat on April 12. The negotiations, mediated by Oman’s foreign minister, were led by Araghchi and US President Joe Biden’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the initial exchanges.

The next round of talks is scheduled to take place on April 19.

By Tamilla Hasanova