Tehran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has made it clear that Iran still maintains the capacity to resume nuclear enrichment efforts, despite recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear infrastructure. Araghchi asserted that the technological capabilities and scientific workforce of Iran are intact, ensuring that the nation can restart its uranium enrichment program if desired. The minister emphasized that the damage from these attacks, which targeted key facilities, can be repaired, as the technology and human resources remain available.
Araghchi’s remarks come amid heightened tensions, as the U.S. and Israel have conducted strikes that allegedly caused significant damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities. These strikes reportedly killed over 1,000 individuals, including 13 nuclear scientists, according to figures released by Tehran. Israel has claimed to have eliminated 30 senior security officials and 11 top nuclear scientists, though the exact toll remains a point of contention. The U.S. maintains that its attacks crippled Iran’s main nuclear sites, including Fordow and Natanz, and rendered the Isfann facility inoperable, setting back Iran’s nuclear program by several years.
Araghchi has also called on Washington to offer financial compensation for the damage caused by these strikes, as they occurred during ongoing nuclear negotiations. The minister expressed skepticism about the sincerity of future talks, citing a growing sentiment within Iran’s leadership that the U.S. may not be genuine in its commitments. He warned that the strikes have prompted internal discussions within the regime about the military use of its nuclear program, although he reiterated Iran’s adherence to a longstanding fatwa prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, European powers have threatened to trigger the ‘snapback’ mechanism of UN sanctions against Iran if progress on the nuclear deal is not made. The European Union, along with China and Russia, have the authority to invoke these sanctions, while the U.S., which withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement under the Trump administration, cannot impose them. The U.S. has further escalated pressure on Iran with new sanctions targeting its oil network and military drone industry. European diplomats are currently in talks with Iranian officials, seeking to find a path for Iran to avoid these sanctions by resuming cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Araghchi warned that if Europe proceeds with snapback sanctions, it would mark the end of negotiations, signaling a definitive rejection of continued dialogue. This standoff continues to shape global discussions on nuclear policy and the future of Iran’s scientific and military aspirations in the region.