Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran will never abandon its uranium enrichment program, despite renewed negotiations with the United States and ongoing U.S. military pressure in the region.
Speaking at a forum in Tehran, Araghchi asserted that Iran would not be intimidated by the threat of war, referencing the recent deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the Arabian Sea. "Why do we insist so much on enrichment...? Because no one has the right to dictate our behaviour," he stated, adding that the U.S. military presence "does not scare us."
The comments follow the first direct talks between the two nations in years, held in Oman on Friday. Iran seeks the lifting of crippling U.S. economic sanctions in return for what Araghchi called "confidence-building measures" regarding its nuclear activities. The U.S. and its allies suspect Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies.
Even as talks proceed, the U.S. has signalled a continued hardline stance. Lead negotiators recently visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, with one official calling the carrier group a means to ensure "peace through strength." The U.S. also announced new sanctions targeting Iran's oil shipping networks last week.
Araghchi expressed doubt about American sincerity, citing these simultaneous military and economic pressures. "We are monitoring the situation closely... and will decide on the continuation of the negotiations," he said.
The negotiations occur against a backdrop of significant domestic unrest in Iran. Authorities acknowledge over 3,000 deaths during recent protests, though international human rights groups estimate the toll to be much higher, with one organization reporting nearly 7,000 verified fatalities.
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