Iran vows uranium enrichment ‘uncompromisable’; again spurns reports of ‘interim deal’ with US
Iran has reiterated the non-negotiable nature of continued peaceful uranium enrichment activities on its soil, while repeating the Islamic Republic’s rejection of reports alleging that the country could suspend the process as part of an “interim deal” with the US.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Wednesday, commenting on a question about a Reuters’ report that had come up speculations about the possibility of a so-called stopgap agreement.
Citing “unnamed Iranian sources,” the report had suggested that Iran could halt enrichment temporarily in exchange for the unfreezing of its confiscated assets and recognition of its right to enrich.
The spokesman, however, categorically dismissed the report, calling it another baseless fabrication.
“This claim by Reuters is in the same vein as previous attempts to fabricate narratives, all of which have been repeatedly refuted and proven false,” Baghaei stated.
“These claims are merely media speculation, published with various motives and intentions, and none of them are verifiable,” he added.
No pause, with or without a deal
Iranian officials have consistently maintained that uranium enrichment would continue regardless of whether an agreement would be reached between the Islamic Republic and the United States.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized on multiple occasions that enrichment was a matter of national sovereignty and would not be halted.
Baghaei’s comments did not mark the first time he was roundly ruling out the notion of a temporary agreement.
Speaking earlier this week during a press conference, he had likewise asserted, “A temporary agreement has not been on our agenda so far, and this issue was not discussed in that meeting either.”
The official was commenting on the fifth round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.
The talks began in April, with the Islamic Republic insisting on their recognition of the country’s nuclear rights, and leading to effective removal of the US’s illegal and unilateral sanctions against Tehran.
