Khaberni -Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that his country will not abandon its nuclear program, especially uranium enrichment, despite the "severe damage" inflicted by the American bombing on its nuclear facilities.
Araghchi told the American news network "Fox News" anchor Bret Baier that "the program is currently halted because the damage is severe and dangerous, but it is clear that we cannot abandon enrichment, as it is an achievement of our scientists, and now, more than ever, it is a matter of national pride."
The Iranian minister emphasized that any future nuclear agreement must ensure the Islamic Republic's right to uranium enrichment.
In response to a question about whether Tehran salvaged any amounts of enriched uranium from the American bombing, the Iranian minister said, "I don't have detailed information" on this subject, but the Iranian atomic agency is "assessing what exactly happened to our nuclear materials, our enriched materials."
On June 13, Israel launched widespread strikes on Iran that led to a war between the two countries that lasted 12 days.
On June 22, the United States joined this war by bombing the Fordow underground uranium enrichment facility south of Tehran, and two nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz (central). The actual extent of the damage caused by the American bombing to these three sites is not yet known.
The American President, Donald Trump, reiterated on Saturday that the American strikes "completely destroyed" the three targeted sites, and threatened to bomb Iran again if it resumed the enrichment program.
On Monday, Trump quickly commented on what Araghchi told Fox News, renewing his threat to Iran.
Trump wrote on his social media platform "Truth Social" that "Abbas Araghchi, in regards to the Iranian nuclear sites, said that ‘the damage is very severe, they were destroyed’. Of course they are, as I've previously said, and we'll repeat (the bombing) if necessary!"
During the twelve-day war, Israel launched hundreds of strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and killed scientists associated with the Iranian nuclear program. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at Israel.
Western countries and Israel suspect that Tehran is seeking to possess an atomic bomb, which the Islamic Republic denies, asserting its right to continue its nuclear program for civilian purposes.
Araghchi's statements come at a time when Iran is preparing to hold new talks on its nuclear program with Germany, France, and Britain in Istanbul on Friday.
Regarding the negotiations about his country's nuclear program, the Iranian Foreign Minister said he is "open" to indirect talks with Washington.
Araghchi told Fox News, "We are open to talks, but not direct talks at this time," indicating that Iran is prepared "to take confidence-building measures to prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear program" in exchange for lifting of American sanctions.
In related developments, the minister confirmed the continuation of his country's missile program.
"We still have enough missiles to defend ourselves," he said.
The Israeli strikes targeted sites for manufacturing and storing missiles, especially ballistic ones, and platforms for launching these missiles.
In response to a question about the health of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Araghchi said, "I met with him today. He is in very good health."
