Iranian foreign minister says Iran cannot give up on nuclear enrichment

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that despite serious damage to its uranium enrichment facilities from recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, Tehran will not abandon its enrichment program, calling it both a scientific achievement and a matter of national pride. The damage is still being assessed, and enrichment activities are currently halted due to the strikes.

Araghchi confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is in good health, and that Iran remains open to nuclear talks with the U.S., though these will not be direct for now. Prior negotiations mediated by Oman stalled over uranium enrichment limits, with planned talks canceled after the conflict began in June.

The U.S. and Israel conducted strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz amid concerns Iran was nearing weapons-grade enrichment levels. Iran insists its program is peaceful, while Israel and the U.S. warn of weaponization risks. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. The UN nuclear watchdog reports no credible evidence of an active Iranian nuclear weapons program.

Credit: CGTN