Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Sunday that Tehran will not relinquish its uranium enrichment capabilities, despite threats from the United States. Araghchi, speaking at a forum in Tehran, emphasized that Iran will not be intimidated by the possibility of war with the US.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Araghchi expressed skepticism regarding the intentions of the US in the renewed negotiations between the two countries. The negotiations, which resumed on Friday in Oman after years of hiatus, are aimed at lifting US economic sanctions on Iran, which, in return, could lead to “a series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear programme,” as mentioned by Araghchi.
The Iranian minister rejected the notion of external forces dictating Iran’s actions, asserting, “Why do we insist so much on enrichment and refuse to give it up, even if a war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to dictate our behaviour.” He also downplayed the threat posed by the US military presence in the region, including the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
The US and its allies, including Israel, accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies. Araghchi countered these accusations, stating, “They fear our atomic bomb, while we are not looking for one. Our atomic bomb is the power to say ‘no’ to the great powers.”
Amidst the backdrop of US military build-up, US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, underscoring the persistent possibility of military action. CENTCOM confirmed the visit, while Witkoff remarked on social media that the carrier was “upholding President Trump’s message of peace through strength.”
Despite ongoing tensions, both US President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have described the negotiations as positive steps. However, skepticism remains as Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries trading with Iran, and the US announced new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports.
Araghchi questioned the US’s sincerity in negotiations, citing the continuation of sanctions and military actions as indicators of a lack of genuine commitment. “We are monitoring the situation closely, assessing all the signals, and will decide on the continuation of the negotiations,” he stated.
The talks occur amid increased US military presence following Iran’s crackdown on protests over economic grievances. Iranian authorities reported 3,117 deaths during the protests, while the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has verified 6,961 deaths, mainly of protesters, and is investigating additional cases. HRANA also reported over 51,000 arrests related to the protests.