Iran says it is willing to accept limits on its nuclear programme but will not halt uranium enrichment, as tensions over renewed talks with the U.S. persist.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi said on Saturday that Iran is prepared to accept certain restrictions on its nuclear programme in exchange for the removal of sanctions, but ending uranium enrichment remains "non negotiable," he told Japan's Kyodo News.
"Iran can be flexible on the capacities and limits of enrichment, but cannot agree to stop enrichment under any circumstance because it's essential, and we need to rely on ourselves, not on empty promises," Takht-Ravanchi stated.
He added that Tehran is open to discussions with Washington but urged the U.S. to clarify its intentions.
"Iran is ready for talks with the United States, but the United States should first make it clear whether it is interested in win-win dialogue or the imposition of its will," he said.
The remarks come weeks after a sharp escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel. On 13 June, just two days before the sixth round of indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple sites in Iran, including nuclear and military facilities, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes on Israel.
On 22 June, U.S. forces bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. Tehran retaliated by striking the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The 12-day conflict ended with a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on 24 June.
In recent days, Washington has renewed calls for Iran to end uranium enrichment entirely, a demand that Tehran continues to reject.
Iran denies ever having a nuclear weapons programme.
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