Iranian FM says Tehran cannot give up nuclear enrichment

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Iran "cannot give up" its nuclear enrichment program which suffered major damage in recent U.S. airstrikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told U.S. media on Monday.

"Our facilities have been ... seriously damaged. The extent of which is now under evaluation by our atomic energy organization," Araghchi told Fox News in an interview via video link, adding that the damage has ceased Iran's enrichment capabilities for the time being.

On June 22, the U.S. Air Force bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities of Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, the impact of which, according to the Pentagon's assessment, had set back Tehran's nuclear program "by one to two years."

"We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," Araghchi said. "Our enrichment is so dear to us."

The U.S. air raids on Iran came during an intense 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran last month.

The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple targets across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.

Iran retaliated with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory, causing casualties and damage. A ceasefire between the two countries was reached on June 24.

Following Israel's strikes, the sixth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States scheduled in Oman on June 15 was canceled.

After the Fox News interview was aired, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday evening: "Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: 'Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.' Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!"

In late June, the U.S. Senate voted against a resolution that would have limited the president's authority to launch further military action against Iran without congressional approval.