Shock Statement: Iranian Foreign Minister Announces Halt to Nuclear Enrichment at All Sites Following US and Israeli Attacks

In what stands as the most direct statement from the Iranian government since the attacks on nuclear sites last June, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced that his country is no longer enriching uranium at any site within the country.

Araqchi's statement came during an interview with the Associated Press. Responding to a question about Iran's nuclear program, he said: "There is no enrichment currently taking place because our enrichment facilities were attacked" by Israel and the United States last June.

The Iranian Minister added that all of his country's nuclear facilities "are under safeguards and monitoring" by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), affirming: "There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran."

Iran's Message to the International Community and Negotiations

When asked what Iran needs to do to continue negotiations with the United States and other parties, Araqchi asserted that Iran's message regarding its nuclear program remains "clear."

The Foreign Minister stressed that "Iran’s right to enrichment and the peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable." He added: "We have this right and we continue to exercise it, and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognizes our rights and understands that this is an unshakeable right for Iran that we will never give up." This statement suggests that Tehran may be ready to negotiate the resumption of enrichment but will not concede its right to it.