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Iran’s nuclear facilities were “seriously damaged” by US missile strikes last month but the regime intends to continue uranium enrichment efforts once they are rebuilt, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Monday.
“Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged, the extent of which is now under evaluation,” Araghchi told Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier.
“The facilities have been destroyed,” he later acknowledged, noting that Iran hasn’t been able to refine nuclear fuel since President Trump ordered military strikes on three uranium enrichment sites on June 22.
After the interview aired, Trump took to Truth Social and demanded an apology from CNN, whom he claims doubted the effectiveness of the airstrikes.
“Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: ‘Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.’ Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary! As interviewed by Bret Baier,” Trump wrote.
“Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony ‘reporter’ and apologize to me and the great pilots who ‘OBLITERATED’ Iran’s nuclear sites. CNN is a major ratings loser, as is MSDNC!” the president added.
Araghchi insisted, however, that the sites would be rebuilt and the enrichment of nuclear material would continue for “peaceful purposes.”
“It is now stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe, but obviously we cannot give up our enrichment, because it is an achievement of our own scientists,” the foreign minister said.
“And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” Araghchi added.
The regime official signaled that Tehran would not agree to any nuclear deal with the Trump administration that would outlaw domestic uranium enrichment, calling it “a matter of dignity for the Iranian people.”
“If the goal is to make sure that Iran will never have nuclear weapons, that is achievable,” Araghchi said. “But if the goal is to deprive Iran from its rights, including the right of enrichment, I think we have, we have difficulty.”
“Enrichment is now stopped because our facilities have been under attack, but any settlement for Iran’s nuclear program should include enrichment in the future, because that is our right,” he continued. “We can never give it up.”
Araghchi was adamant that despite the devastation to the regime’s nuclear facilities, Iran still has the resources and expertise necessary for carrying out the highly technical process – which experts and world leaders have warned Iran has been undertaking in hopes of developing a nuclear weapon.
“It is developed by ourselves. It is an achievement by ourselves. The technology is there. The scientists are there, the people who have run these facilities are there,” Araghchi said. “Buildings can be rebuilt. Facilities can be rebuilt. Machines can be replaced.”
“I think the recent attack proved that there is no military option for our nuclear program.”
When asked about the condition of Iran’s stockpile of already enriched uranium, Araghchi insisted that he had “no detailed information” about whether it was destroyed during the US airstrikes.
The Iranian official also indicated that the regime would be unwilling to accept terms for the Trump administration that would direct Tehran to reduce its production of ballistic missiles or stop funding terror groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
“They are fighting for a just cause, and we have always supported them,” he said of the Iranian proxies.
“On our missiles, as I said, that is our most reliable means of defense,” Araghchi told Baier. “How we can disarm ourselves? Who can [Iran] accept anything like that?”
“So, we will never disarm ourselves.”
Trump has been adamant that any nuclear deal with Iran would need to include a mechanism that prevents the regime from ever engaging in uranium enrichment activities again.
“We are open to talks [but] not direct for the time being,” Araghchi said of the state of negotiations. “If they are coming for a win-win solution, I am ready to engage with them.”
English (US)