Iran Rejects Uranium Enrichment Halt Despite Pressure

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected any possibility of suspending uranium enrichment as a goodwill gesture. He stated that Tehran would continue enrichment based on domestic needs and its rights under international law.

Gharibabadi denied that Iran had ever agreed to limit enrichment or impose a moratorium for the sake of talks with the West. He emphasized that Iran has a bitter experience of dependence on foreign supplies of nuclear fuel and must be self-sufficient.

Currently, Iran is enriching uranium up to 60%, well above the 3.67% limit stipulated in the 2015 JCPOA agreement. The Iranian official maintained that the nuclear program is peaceful and under IAEA supervision but criticized the agency's 'politicized stance'.

Referring to the possibility of restoring sanctions, Gharibabadi warned of a 'strong reaction'. Despite the tension, he stated that Iran remains open to negotiations with the US and Europe, but not under threat.

In a letter to the UN Security Council, Iran argued that its military actions constitute an exercise of the right to self-defense.