Tehran: Iran has said it will continue enriching uranium and is not afraid of increased United States military deployments in the region, taking a firm stand as diplomatic talks remain fragile.
Speaking amid renewed indirect negotiations with Washington, Iranian officials said uranium enrichment is a sovereign right and will not be put on the table as a concession. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would not be pressured by military threats or political pressure, stressing that enrichment is part of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
Iranian leaders also dismissed recent US military movements in the Middle East, saying the presence of American warships and aircraft does not intimidate Tehran. Officials insisted that such deployments only deepen mistrust and make diplomacy more difficult.
The tough message comes as indirect talks between Iran and the United States continue with mediation by Oman. While both sides have signaled interest in avoiding escalation, there is still no agreement on the core issue of uranium enrichment.
US officials have repeatedly called on Iran to stop or sharply limit enrichment, arguing that the program could bring Tehran closer to developing nuclear weapons. Iran rejects this claim and says its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes and permitted under international agreements.
Iran has said it is open to confidence building steps and greater transparency, but only if its right to enrich uranium is respected. It has also rejected attempts to link the nuclear talks with other issues such as its missile program or regional influence.
The standoff highlights the deep gap between the two sides. While diplomacy remains active, Iran’s latest statements suggest that any deal will be difficult unless both countries soften their positions in the coming weeks.