FM: Iran won’t resume nuclear talks while US threats continue

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the United States must first cease its military threats before any resumption of nuclear talks with Tehran can take place.

Speaking to Iranian media, Araghchi made clear that diplomatic engagement is still possible  —but only if Washington changes its current course, Caliber.Az reports.

“To decide whether to resume talks, we must first make sure that Washington will no longer use them for military aggression,” Araghchi said. Stressing Tehran’s openness to dialogue, he added, “The doors of diplomacy will never be closed.”

In his remarks, Araghchi also emphasised the resilience and strategic importance of Iran’s nuclear program. He described uranium enrichment as a “cutting-edge, science-based industry” and underscored that Iran possesses the capability to quickly recover from any potential damage.

“If this industry is damaged or destroyed, we will be able to quickly repair the damage and overcome setbacks to make progress in this industry again,” he said. “The technology and knowledge of enrichment cannot be destroyed by bombing.”

“Our country's peaceful nuclear program has become a source of national pride and dignity,” Araghchi added, framing the nuclear effort as a cornerstone of Iran’s scientific and sovereign advancement.

His comments come in the aftermath of a major U.S. military operation — codenamed “Midnight Hammer” — which was launched on June 21. The operation involved 125 aircraft in a highly coordinated strike against three of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.

One of the most decisive components of the strike was the deployment of 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) — bunker-busting bombs used to target the Fordo uranium enrichment facility. Buried deep beneath a mountain near Tehran, Fordo is considered one of the most fortified elements of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The U.S. assault took place in the midst of an intensifying regional conflict. Tensions flared on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise offensive against multiple Iranian nuclear and military targets, claiming that Iran was on the brink of producing a nuclear weapon. Iran has firmly denied those accusations, insisting that its nuclear program is designed solely for peaceful purposes.

Following the Israeli strikes, Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli territory, sparking a fierce and rapid exchange of fire between the two powers. The escalating confrontation came to be known as the “12-Day War.”

A pause in hostilities was reached on the evening of June 23, when U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire.

By Tamilla Hasanova