‘We are not afraid of the US’

Despite intense pressure from Washington, Iran will never give up its right to enrich uranium, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said.

He made the tough stance while speaking at a forum in Tehran, just two days after meeting with US Special Envoy to Oman Steve Witkoff. Araghchi said that even if war is imposed on Iran, it will not deviate from this path, because no foreign power has the right to determine Iran’s behavior.

The Iranian foreign minister noted that Iran has already paid a high price for its peaceful nuclear program and uranium enrichment. He commented that the recent deployment of the US Navy in the Gulf region and the display of military force have not intimidated Tehran at all. According to him, this military presence in the region will not have any effect on changing Iran’s policy.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use military force to force a new deal on Iran’s nuclear program. The US military deployment in the region has been increased, particularly in the context of the suppression of anti-government protests in Iran.

Before last year's conflict, Iran had enriched uranium to 60 percent, which is very close to the material for making nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously warned that Iran was the only country enriching uranium to this high level despite not having a nuclear bomb.

On the other hand, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear last week that any talks with Iran would have to focus not only on the nuclear issue, but also on its ballistic missile program, support for regional proxy groups and human rights abuses. As a result, Tehran's stubborn stance and Washington's multifaceted conditions have raised the risk of further prolonging tensions between the two countries.

Source: The Times of Israel.