Iran’s Foreign Minister Announces Halt to Uranium Enrichment Nationwide: What This Means for Global Diplomacy

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, declared on Sunday that the country is no longer enriching uranium anywhere. This statement is aimed at showing the West that Iran is still open to talking about its nuclear program.

In a conversation with an Associated Press reporter in Tehran, Araghchi responded directly about the country’s nuclear activities. His comments come after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian enrichment sites in June during a 12-day conflict.

Araghchi asserted, “There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All our facilities are monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.” He explained that Iran’s enrichment efforts had halted because these facilities were attacked.

When asked about future negotiations with the U.S. and other nations, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to its nuclear rights. “Our right to peaceful nuclear technology is undeniable,” he stated, emphasizing that Iran will not relinquish this right.

At a recent summit attended by journalists, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, expressed concerns about threats surrounding access to the bombed sites. Satellite imagery reviewed by the AP reveals no significant activity at key sites like Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz since the attacks. Eslami remarked, “Our security situation remains precarious. We face daily threats of further attacks.”

Historically, Iran increased uranium enrichment to 60% purity—just a step away from weapons-grade—after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. While Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, the West and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) claim there had been a structured nuclear weapons program in the early 2000s.

In a move reflecting the ongoing tensions, European nations recently pushed to reinstate UN sanctions against Iran for its nuclear activities. The IAEA’s Board of Governors will convene this week to discuss Iran’s lack of compliance, which may lead to a new resolution.

Despite the deadlock, Araghchi hinted at possible future negotiations if the U.S. adjusts its demands. He criticized the current U.S. position as overly demanding, stating, “What we see is an effort to impose demands that are unreasonable. In such a scenario, dialogue seems unlikely.”

The summit highlighted concerns about “aggression” against Iran, with discussions led by analysts presenting Tehran’s perspective on the recent conflict. One professor described Iran’s response as both “historic” and “inspiring.” Images of victims lined the summit’s entrance, reinforcing the significance of these issues to the Iranian public.

Iran currently confronts a complex situation, with its air defense severely weakened and rising economic and social pressures. The government must decide how to approach contentious issues, like enforcement of hijab laws or subsidized gasoline pricing, which have sparked large-scale protests in the past.

For insights into international relations and potential resolutions, the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Outrider Foundation offer valuable resources on nuclear security topics.

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