Why it matters:
Araghchi’s statement signals Iran’s firm stance in future negotiations with Western powers. As global efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal gain traction, Tehran is making it clear that it won’t compromise on what it sees as its sovereign right to enrich uranium for civilian use.
The big picture:
Talks to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) have repeatedly stalled over key sticking points, including uranium enrichment levels, sanctions relief, and monitoring. Iran insists it seeks nuclear energy, not weapons.
What he's saying:
"There is a reason why only a few nations master the ability to fuel nuclear reactors," Araghchi wrote on X. "Iran has paid dearly for these capabilities, and there is no scenario in which we will give up on the patriots who made our dream come true."
“To reiterate: No enrichment, no deal. No nuclear weapons, we have a deal.”
Key points:
- Araghchi links uranium enrichment to national pride, sovereignty, and technological achievement.
- He portrays the enrichment program as a hard-won right that Iran will not trade away.
- While rejecting any halt to enrichment, he reaffirms that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons.
- The statement comes amid renewed international interest in reviving nuclear talks.
Go deeper:
Araghchi’s comments echo a longstanding Iranian position that enrichment for peaceful purposes is non-negotiable. But the direct, dual-message framing, “no enrichment, no deal, no nukes, we have a deal”, is a calculated move to appeal to both domestic audiences and international negotiators, underscoring Iran’s red lines ahead of any potential diplomacy.
Hossein Vaez
