Khaberni -The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, which was severely damaged during the war between Israel and Iran last month.
Before the war, Tehran and Washington conducted 5 rounds of nuclear talks mediated by Oman, but they failed to reach an agreement on the allowed level of uranium enrichment for Iran.
Israel and the United States say that Iran was on the verge of enriching to levels that would allow it to quickly produce a nuclear weapon, while Tehran says its enrichment program is solely for civilian purposes.
Araghchi told Fox News, "The program has stopped because the damage is severe and significant. But it is clear that we will not give up on enrichment since it is an achievement of our scientists. And now, more importantly, it is a matter of national dignity."
He added that the damage to the nuclear facilities after the American and Israeli strikes was severe and is being extensively assessed.
Araghchi also said that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "is in good health," and that Tehran is open to talks with Washington but they will not be direct "at this time."
Israel attacked Iran on June 13th, then the two rival Middle Eastern countries engaged in an aerial war that lasted 12 days, during which Washington also bombed Iranian nuclear facilities until a ceasefire was reached in late June.
Iran is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty while Israel has not joined it. The International Atomic Energy Agency of the United Nations says it does not have "reliable indicators" of an active, coordinated weapons program in Iran. Tehran insists its nuclear program is intended for civilian purposes only.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East believed to possess nuclear weapons, and it has stated that its war on Iran is aimed at preventing it from producing nuclear weapons.
