No Undeclared Nuclear Enrichment In Iran, Says Foreign Minister

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Sunday announced Tehran is no longer enriching uranium at any site.

Replying to a question from Associated Press, Araghchi said: “There is no undeclared nuclear

enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring” of the International Atomic Energy Agency. “There is no enrichment right now because our facilities — our enrichment facilities — have been attacked.”

On the question of what it would take for Iran to continue negotiations with the US and others, Araghchi told Associated Press that Iran’s message on its nuclear programme remains “clear.” “Iran’s right for enrichment, for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable,” the foreign minister continued. “We have this right and we continue to exercise that, and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognise our rights and understand that this is an inalienable right of Iran and we would never give up our rights.”

Previously, AFP quoted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as saying that Tehran “will build (the destroyed sites) stronger than before.”

“By destroying buildings… we will not be set back,” he said in a video posted to his official website, adding that Iranian scientists still had the necessary nuclear know-how.

In June, Israel had launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran which started a 12-day war during which it targeted nuclear and military facilities, and residential areas. The attacks also killed many top scientists. In response, Iran attacked Israeli cities with ballistic missile barrages.

Recently, the US said it would soon impose new sanctions on Iran’s missile and drone programme.

“In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone programme” as well as the Revolutionary Guards and the Iranian defence ministry, Sullivan said in a statement.

“We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions,” he added.

Earlier, the United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran, including an arms embargo, over its nuclear programme.

These measures revive the pre-2015 restrictions that were lifted under the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — the multilateral nuclear deal between Tehran, the EU, the US, and other global powers.