Defiant Iranian foreign minister says nuclear enrichment 'too dear' to abandon

Iran has clearly said it will not stop enriching uranium, calling it a matter of national pride. In an interview with Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has no plans to abandon the nuclear enrichment program, even though the United States wants it to.

"We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," Araghchi said in the interview. "Our enrichment is so dear to us."

The US has long been worried about Iran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon. It has pushed for a total ban on uranium enrichment in Iran. But Araghchi made it clear that Iran wouldn’t agree to that demand.

IRAN STANDS FIRM AFTER STRIKES ON NUCLEAR FACILITIES

Even after last month’s US airstrikes damaged parts of Iran’s nuclear sites, Iran is standing firm in its stance. Araghchi said, "Our facilities have been damaged – seriously damaged. The extent of which is now under evaluation by our atomic energy organisation. But as far as I know, they are seriously damaged."

He also pointed out that the damage has temporarily halted enrichment activity. However, he did not say whether any enriched uranium survived the strikes.

While Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, the US and NATO believe Iran is on the verge of build a nuclear weapon. Before the strikes by Israel and the US, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi alleged that Iran may be weeks away from having enough material to build nuclear bombs.

Iran has always said it does not want to build nuclear weapons. It says the nuclear work is meant only for civilian energy use.

The US has suggested that instead of enriching uranium on its own, Iran could obtain it through a shared arrangement with other countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This way, Iran could still use nuclear power for energy purposes without needing to carry out enrichment itself.

However, Iran has firmly rejected that idea. Last month, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also called Iran’s nuclear project a big national achievement. "The number of countries in the world that have achieved a complete nuclear fuel cycle is perhaps fewer than the number of fingers on a person’s two hands," he said. "We're capable of producing nuclear fuel starting from the mine and all the way to the power plant."

NO BREAKTHROUGH ON NUCLEAR TALKS

Iran is under immense pressure. If it does not reach a nuclear deal by the end of August, the country could face even harsher international sanctions. It is still unclear whether a new nuclear agreement must include the United States, or if it can be reached solely with the European nations -- France, Germany, and the United Kingdom -- collectively known as the E3.

Tehran is expected to hold meetings in the coming days. It will meet with its close allies Russia and China on Tuesday, and will talk at E3 on Friday.

However, Washington and Tehran have not yet resumed direct talks since last month’s US strikes.

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With inputs form Reuters