Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: No More Uranium Celebration

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas AragCHI. (Source: IRNA)

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday Tehran was no longer enriching uranium at any location in his country.

"No nuclear enrichment has not been declared in Iran. All of our facilities are under the protection and monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Foreign Minister Araghchi said in response to questions by Associated Press journalists visiting Iran, quoted from Al Arabiya November 16.

"No current enrichment due to our facilities our enrichment facilities have been attacked," he continued, referring to the US attack on three Iranian enrichment facilities in June.

When asked what it took for Iran to continue negotiations with the US and other countries, Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran's message of its nuclear program remained "clear."

"Iran's right to enrichment, for the peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable," he explained.

"We have this right and we continue to implement it, and we hope the international community, including the United States, recognize our rights and understand that this is Iran's irreversible right, and we will never give up our rights," Foreign Minister Araghchi stressed.

Iran is in a difficult situation after war. Israel destroyed the country's air defense system, which has the potential to open up opportunities for further airstrikes due to tensions that are still high over Tehran's nuclear program.

Meanwhile, economic pressures and social changes continue to challenge Iran's Shiite theorecracy, which has so far delayed decision-making of whether to enforce mandatory headscarf laws or raise government-subsidized gasoline prices, both of which have sparked national protests in the past.

Iran held a meeting with journalists from various countries held by Iran's Institute for Political and International Studies.

Titled "International Law Under Attack: Aggression and Self-Defense", the conference includes papers from Iranian political analysts offering Tehran views on the 12-day war in June.

"Iran's defensive responses are extraordinary, inspiring, historic, and most importantly, pure," wrote Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour, a professor of international relations.

"How could people compare Israel's dirty acts with the noble and clean actions of the Iranian nation?" he continued.