Iran Reasserts Nuclear Rights Ahead of Critical US Talks in Oman
DOHA — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi declared on Saturday that Tehran will not compromise on its nuclear rights ahead of indirect negotiations with the United States set to begin in Oman.
“If the goal of the negotiations is to strip Iran of its nuclear rights, we will never back down,” Araqchi stated, as quoted by state media. His comments come amid rising tensions and diverging expectations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran insists its uranium enrichment activities are strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes, despite Western accusations that its accelerated program points to ambitions of developing nuclear weapons.
The United States, under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and has since demanded that Iran dismantle its enrichment infrastructure. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reiterated on Friday that Iran’s facilities must be shut down under any new agreement.
Araqchi emphasized that Iran is negotiating in good faith and is open to an agreement—provided it does not infringe on its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
“As long as the talks are aimed at preventing nuclear weapons, we are ready to engage. But if the purpose is to curtail our nuclear rights, there will be no retreat,” he asserted.
The high-stakes talks in Oman are seen as a potential turning point in the long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its place in the international community.
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