By World Israel News Staff
Iran’s foreign minister struck a defiant tone Monday during an interview with CBS News, declaring that American and Israeli airstrikes will not deter Iran from pursuing uranium enrichment, while demanding that the U.S. commit to never striking Iran again in exchange for a return to negotiations.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that despite the damage to Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day war with Israel and one-day American air campaign, the Islamic republic would continue to pursue nuclear capabilities, calling it a matter of “national pride.”
Reiterating Tehran’s denials that its nuclear program includes efforts to construct atomic bombs, Araghchi said Iran would not “back down” from uranium enrichment, regardless of foreign opposition.
Iran’s “peaceful nuclear program has turned into a matter of national pride and glory,” Araghchi said. “We have also gone through 12 days of imposed war, therefore, people will not easily back down from enrichment.”
“One cannot obliterate the technology and science for enrichment through bombings,” Araghchi continued, adding that Iran is already working to rebuild its nuclear program.
“If there is this will on our part, and the will exists in order to once again make progress in this industry, we will be able to expeditiously repair the damages and make up for the lost time.”
While President Donald Trump had floated the idea of resuming talks with Iran immediately following the ceasefire last week, Araghchi expressed skepticism regarding the prospects of negotiations.
“I don’t think negotiations will restart as quickly as that,” Araghchi said.
The top Iranian diplomat also conditioned Iran’s return to the negotiating table on assurances that the U.S. will not strike Iran in the future.
“In order for us to decide to reengage, we will have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations.”
