Iran’s Foreign Minister says his country refuses to abandon uranium enrichment, calling it a matter of "national pride." Iran will not cease its uranium enrichment activities, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed in an interview set to air Monday evening on Fox News. Speaking to anchor Bret Baier, Araghchi declared the program a point of "national pride," rejecting US demands that Tehran abandon its nuclear ambitions.
"We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists," Araghchi said. "And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride. Our enrichment is so dear to us." Araghchi also acknowledged that US airstrikes last month caused “serious” damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, he declined to specify whether any enriched uranium remained intact.
“Our facilities have been damaged - seriously damaged,” he stated, noting that Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization is still evaluating the full extent of the destruction. For now, all enrichment activities have ceased. Araghchi’s comments come a day after Iran announced it will hold nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday. Tehran faces intensifying sanctions and arms restrictions if it fails to reach a nuclear deal by the end of August. It remains unclear whether a future agreement must include the US or only France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. (Read More)
