Iran welcomes fresh nuclear talks with U.S. but insists on right to enrichment

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed a fresh round of nuclear talks with the United States, insisting Tehran will protect its right to enrichment under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In a post on X, he hailed friendly regional countries for supporting the mediated talks held last Friday (6 February) in Muscat, Oman, which he described as “a step forward”.

According to a statement released on the website of the Iranian President’s Office on Sunday, he “noted that the logic guiding Iran’s position on the nuclear issue is firmly based on the rights enshrined in the NPT.”

“President Pezeshkian emphasised the continuation of dialogue as Tehran’s core strategy for resolving issues peacefully, while underscoring Iran’s determination to safeguard its nuclear rights,” the statement read.

“The Iranian nation responds to respect with respect but does not accept coercion or pressure.”

Calls for 'seriousness'

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s right to nuclear enrichment, saying the country is ready for “confidence-building” measures.

Speaking at a national conference hosted by the Foreign Ministry, he said the recent round of nuclear negotiations would continue if the U.S. showed “necessary seriousness.”

According to Iran’s top diplomat: “Military pressure will not change Iran’s course. If we take one step back, there is no telling how far the retreat will go.”

Araghchi also said he rejected the U.S. delegation’s proposal in Oman for the participation of the CENTCOM commander in the talks and refrained from shaking hands with him after the mediated discussions.

Asked by reporters about the U.S. demand which stalled the nuclear talks last year and led to the U.S.-Israel invasion of Iran, Araghchi briefly answered: “Zero enrichment!”

Talks with China and Russia

His deputy for legal affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said in a post on X that he met Chinese and Russian envoys "and discussed and exchanged views on issues of interest,” following the Iran-U.S. negotiations in Oman.

During the meeting, China and Russia are believed to have been briefed on the mediated Iran-US talks in Muscat, in which Gharibabadi also took part following a short visit to Beijing.

China and Russia are two permanent and veto-wielding members of United Nations Security Council, which opposed the return of UN nuclear sanctions pushed by the EU and U.S. last year.

Tehran has entered into long-term strategic cooperation pacts with both Beijing and Moscow.

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