US and Iran deadlocked without compromise On the nuclear brink

After a brief pause, tensions between the United States and Iran appear poised to escalate once again. This is evident from the sharp statements coming from both Tehran and Washington, serving as indicators of a potential flare-up.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, President of the Islamic Republic Masoud Pezeshkian made several remarks that could be seen as directed against the U.S. Notably, he reiterated that Tehran’s stance on its nuclear programme remains unchanged, emphasising that Iran would continue its uranium enrichment programme despite international opposition, saying the development of its nuclear abilities would be carried out “within the framework of international laws.”

This suggests that Iran’s main argument is its right to peaceful nuclear energy, a right guaranteed to all signatories of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which Tehran joined early on. Therefore, Iran asserts its nuclear activities comply with international law and that it is entitled to continue its nuclear development.

Indeed, Iran has repeatedly invoked this legal provision, while maintaining that it does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons—an assurance Pezeshkian also made during his interview with Al Jazeera.

“[US President Donald] Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position,” he declared.

According to the official Tehran, any talks over the nuclear dossier must take Iran’s interests into account. However, as shown by several rounds of U.S.-Iran negotiations, Washington appears unwilling to make concessions on this issue.

At the same time, the Islamic Republic has no intention of backing down, as made clear by Pezeshkian’s statement: “The claim from Trump that our nuclear programme is over is just an illusion. Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists and not in the facilities.”

Moreover, with this remark, the Iranian president sent a message to both the U.S. and Israel: despite the killing of several Iranian nuclear scientists during the 12-day war, Tehran retains the potential to further develop its nuclear programme.

Echoing the words of the president, similar remarks were recently made by Iran’s Foreign Minister. In an interview with the American broadcaster Fox News, Abbas Araghchi stated that despite a temporary halt in uranium enrichment due to damage caused by U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Tehran has no intention of abandoning its programme.

“We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” the Iranian minister stressed.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, statements directed at the Islamic Republic continue to emerge—many of which can fairly be described as threatening.

Just days ago, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States may launch new strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities if necessary.

“Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: ‘Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.’ Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!” the U.S. president declared.

Earlier in June, the American president announced that he had “immediately halted” efforts to ease sanctions imposed on Iran, justifying his decision with the defiant remarks made by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic regarding potential attacks on the United States. It should be recalled that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Tehran had “secured a victory and slapped the U.S. in retaliation” in reference to an attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, adding pointedly that “such an operation could be repeated in the future.”

The stark contrast in the positions of the two sides is evident. The hostile rhetoric saturating statements from both Iran and the U.S. only adds fuel to a fire that is on the verge of reigniting.

Washington’s goal is clear: to achieve the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, with no room for compromise. That is the first point.

The Islamic Republic, for its part, is determined to defend its national interests at all costs and continue developing its nuclear capabilities. That is the second.

Given all this, the outlook is bleak: the fundamental disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme form a ticking time bomb—one that could detonate at any moment, potentially triggering a new round of military confrontation in the Middle East. This time, however, the consequences may be irreversible—not just for the region, but far beyond it.