Iran‘s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Sunday that Tehran will persist in enriching uranium irrespective of any nuclear agreement with the United States. This announcement comes amid ongoing negotiations aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Araghchi emphasized that uranium enrichment is a sovereign right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), stating, “Enrichment in Iran, however, will continue with or without a deal.” He also noted that Iran is open to serious discussions to ensure that its nuclear program remains peaceful.
Currently, Iran enriches uranium to 60% purity, significantly exceeding the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This level of enrichment brings Iran closer to weapons-grade material, which requires 90% purity. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has grown substantially, raising concerns about its potential to develop nuclear weapons.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reiterated that any new agreement must prohibit Iran from enriching uranium, calling it a “red line” due to its potential for weaponization. Despite this firm stance, President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a new deal, stating that negotiations are “very close.”
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, such as energy production and medical research. However, the U.S. and its allies remain skeptical, citing Iran’s history of nuclear secrecy and its ballistic missile program.
The ongoing negotiations are further complicated by regional tensions and Iran’s recent proposal to form a uranium enrichment consortium with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This initiative aims to build regional trust and provide transparency but has yet to gain significant traction.
As talks continue, the international community watches closely, aware that the outcome will have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.
