Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Iran will not stop its uranium enrichment programme. He said that despite heavy damage from recent US and Israeli air strikes, Iran considers the programme both a scientific achievement and a symbol of national pride.

Uranium Programme Halted But Not Abandoned

Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Araghchi admitted that Iran’s enrichment work is currently paused. He blamed the pause on “serious and severe” damage from the attacks. However, he insisted that Iran will never end the programme.

“It is now stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe, but obviously, we cannot give up our enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists, and now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” he said.

Iran Ready to Negotiate But Wants Sanctions Lifted

At the start of the interview, Araghchi said Iran is “open to talks” with the United States. But he made it clear that Iran will not hold direct talks “for the time being.”

He explained, “If they [the US] are coming for a win-win solution, I am ready to engage with them.”

Araghchi also said Iran is ready to take steps to prove its nuclear programme is peaceful. “We are ready to do any confidence-building measure needed to prove that Iran’s nuclear programme is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever, and Iran would never go for nuclear weapons, and in return, we expect them to lift their sanctions,” he said.

He urged the US to choose a diplomatic path, saying, “So, my message to the United States is that let’s go for a negotiated solution for Iran’s nuclear programme.”

Diplomatic Solution Still Possible

Throughout the 16-minute interview aired on Fox News, a network known to influence US President Donald Trump, Araghchi stressed that Iran prefers negotiations over conflict.

“There is a negotiated solution for our nuclear programme. We have done it once in the past. We are ready to do it once again,” he stated.

Nuclear Deal Collapsed After US Withdrawal

Earlier this year, Iran and the US restarted discussions about Iran’s nuclear programme. This came after a long gap following Trump’s 2018 decision to pull the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Under the JCPOA, Iran had agreed to allow strict international inspections of its nuclear sites in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Trump withdrew from the deal after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of secretly building nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly denied those claims, insisting its nuclear work is for peaceful purposes only.

Israeli Air Strikes Ended Peace Talks

In May, the US and Iran were engaged in new talks to revive the nuclear deal. However, these talks collapsed after Israel carried out surprise air strikes across Iran on June 13. The attacks targeted Iran’s military and nuclear facilities.

The conflict resulted in heavy casualties. Reports said over 900 people died in Iran, while Israel reported at least 28 deaths. A ceasefire was finally reached on June 24.

Iran Stays Firm But Open to Talks

In his latest comments, Araghchi made it clear that Iran will protect its right to enrich uranium. However, he also signalled that Tehran remains willing to negotiate—if the United States agrees to lift sanctions and work towards a balanced agreement. As of now, tensions remain high, with no clear path forward.