(MENAFN) Iran will not cease its uranium enrichment efforts, regardless of mounting pressure from the United States and its allies, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Speaking to a news agency on Saturday, Araghchi explained that the US and Israeli airstrikes in June were unsuccessful in disabling the program, which Tehran insists is purely for civilian purposes.

Although some “nuclear materials remain buried under the rubble,” he noted that the nation’s technological capabilities “remain intact.”

“We cannot stop uranium enrichment, and what is not achieved by war cannot be achieved through political means,” Araghchi declared, emphasizing Iran’s determination to continue its nuclear activities.

He further stated that Iran is still willing to pursue an agreement with the US through indirect talks, but only if Washington abandons what he called “impossible and unacceptable preconditions.”

Addressing another key issue, Araghchi made it clear that the country’s missile program is off the table for negotiation, asserting, “It would be foolish if one hands over their weapons.”

The US-Iran talks, facilitated by Oman, were paused after Israel launched a 12-day airstrike campaign earlier this year.

In addition, both the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) reinstated sanctions on Iran last month—measures that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord, which the US withdrew from during President Donald Trump’s first term.

Tehran has since declared that it no longer considers itself bound by that agreement, which officially expired in October.

MENAFN02112025000045017167ID1110282488