Iran’s Nuclear Program and Recent Developments: A Statement from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Iran’s Foreign Minister Declares Halt to Uranium Enrichment Amid Ongoing Tensions
TEHRAN, Iran — In a significant development regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Sunday that the country is no longer enriching uranium at any of its facilities. This statement marks the most explicit acknowledgment from the Iranian government since Israel and the United States targeted its enrichment sites in June.
During a press briefing with an Associated Press journalist, Araghchi emphasized, “There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency.” He attributed the cessation of enrichment activities to the recent attacks on Iran’s facilities, stating, “There is no enrichment right now because our enrichment facilities have been attacked.”
When pressed about the conditions necessary for resuming negotiations with the U.S. and other nations, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s unwavering stance on its nuclear rights. “Iran’s right for enrichment, for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable,” he asserted. “We have this right and we continue to exercise that, and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognizes our rights and understands that this is an inalienable right of Iran and we would never give up our rights.”
The announcement comes as Iran hosts a summit titled “International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense,” organized by the Institute for Political and International Studies, which is affiliated with the Foreign Ministry. The conference featured discussions from Iranian political analysts who framed the recent conflict with Israel as a struggle against aggression. Notably, some speakers highlighted comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who praised Israel for its military actions.
In a poignant display, images of children killed during the conflict lined the walkway outside the summit, held in the Martyr General Qassem Soleimani Building, named after the Revolutionary Guard leader assassinated by a U.S. drone strike in 2020. One speaker, Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour, described Iran’s response to the attacks as “remarkable, inspiring, historic and above all, pure,” contrasting it with what he termed Israel’s “dirty deeds.”
Despite the rhetoric, Iran faces a precarious situation in the aftermath of the conflict. The recent airstrikes have severely compromised the country’s air defense systems, raising concerns about potential future attacks as tensions over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions persist. Additionally, Iran grapples with mounting economic pressures and societal changes that challenge the stability of its Shiite theocracy. The government remains hesitant to enforce mandatory hijab laws or increase the price of subsidized gasoline—issues that have previously ignited widespread protests.
As the international community watches closely, Iran’s next steps in both its nuclear program and domestic policies will be critical in shaping the region’s future dynamics.
