Uranium enrichment non-negotiable, Iran declares as nuclear talks continue

Iran’s hard-won right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasised in a recent interview with Ash-Sharq News in Tehran.

He underscored that Iran would never relinquish this right, highlighting that it was achieved through tremendous sacrifice and determination, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Araghchi described uranium enrichment as a core national achievement, a sophisticated scientific advancement developed entirely by Iranian experts without reliance on foreign technology. He noted that the enrichment program holds great value for the Iranian people because it was invented and perfected domestically, despite enduring intense sanctions and hardships.

The minister also paid tribute to several Iranian nuclear scientists who were assassinated in connection with their work on the enrichment process, referring to them as martyrs whose blood contributed to this accomplishment.

Turning to the international arena, Araghchi sharply criticised the United States for its withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and condemned European parties for failing to compensate for the US exit. He dismissed threats of triggering the JCPOA’s so-called “snapback” mechanism as illegal and politically baseless. Araghchi warned the European troika—France, Germany, and the UK—that attempting to activate the snapback provision would be a grave misstep with serious consequences for Europe.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that the fifth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States is scheduled for May 23 in Rome, Italy. Baqaei stated that Iran accepted Oman’s proposal to host the upcoming round of talks and emphasised that the Iranian delegation remains committed to defending Iran’s rights to peaceful nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment. He also reaffirmed the team’s determination to push for the lifting of what he described as “cruel” sanctions imposed on Iran.

Since April 12, Iran and the US have engaged in four rounds of indirect negotiations mediated primarily by Oman, with the goal of reviving an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and securing sanctions relief. The fourth round, held on May 11 in Muscat, Oman, lasted about three hours and was described by Baqaei as “difficult but useful,” helping both sides better understand each other’s positions and explore realistic solutions.

These talks form part of broader efforts to prevent further escalation after the unravelling of the JCPOA, from which the US withdrew in 2018 under President Donald Trump, reimposing sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran gradually reduced its compliance with the deal.

Oman and Qatar, Gulf states maintaining close relations with both Washington and Tehran, have played key roles in facilitating these indirect discussions. The upcoming round in Rome will continue the search for a diplomatic resolution amid ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

By Tamilla Hasanova