Iran insists on retaining uranium enrichment rights in nuclear talks with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran has made significant sacrifices to develop its nuclear industry and will not accept a deal with the United States unless it retains the ability to enrich uranium domestically.

“There is a reason why only a few nations master the ability to fuel nuclear reactors. Apart from significant financial resources and political vision, it requires a solid industrial base and a technological-academic complex that can produce necessary human resources and know-how,” Caliber.Az quotes Araghchi as saying on X.

“Iran has paid dearly for these capabilities, and there is no scenario in which we will give up on the patriots who made our dream come true. To reiterate: No enrichment, no deal. No nuclear weapons, we have a deal.”

To recall, negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program remain at a critical juncture. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has firmly rejected a U.S. proposal that demands Iran cease uranium enrichment, a cornerstone of its nuclear program.

He emphasised that uranium enrichment is central to Iran’s goal of energy independence. He stated, “Independence means not waiting for the green light from America and the likes of America,” and added that the US proposal was “100 per cent against” the principles of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The U.S. proposal, mediated by Oman, suggests a multinational consortium to handle uranium enrichment outside Iran, allowing Tehran to maintain a limited stake. This arrangement aims to address U.S. concerns while permitting Iran to assert domestic enrichment capabilities.

However, Iranian officials insist that any such consortium must operate within Iran's borders to be acceptable.

Despite these tensions, both nations continue to engage diplomatically. Iran has indicated a potential willingness to allow U.S. inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor its nuclear sites if a comprehensive agreement is reached. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev