Iran will continue enrichment with our without a deal with US, Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns the United States against making “unrealistic demands” in talks, saying Tehran will continue its enrichment program with or without a deal with Washington.

Araghchi made the remarks on Sunday in response to an earlier claim by US President Donald Trump’s regional envoy Steve Witkoff, who said that Washington would not allow Iran to have even a 1-percent enrichment capability.

The top Iranian negotiator told reporters that such statements were “completely detached from the reality of negotiations.”

“If they are interested in ensuring that nuclear weapons are not produced, we are prepared to cooperate. However, if they make unrealistic demands, it is natural that they will not be met.”

He added that Iran is ready to show that it is not after building nuclear weapons if that is what the Americans want. 

Araghchi, however, emphasized that if the US makes unrealistic demands, “it is natural that they will not be met.”

In an interview with ABC’s “This Week”, Witkoff said the Trump administration’s “red line” in nuclear talks with Iran is that Tehran cannot maintain any ability to enrich uranium.

“We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability,” Witkoff added.

“Everything begins… with a deal that does not include enrichment… because enrichment enables weaponization, and we will not allow a bomb to get here.”

Araqchi later took to X, formerly Twitter, to respond to the statement by the US special envoy. He said Iran would not negotiate in public, criticizing contradictions between private and public statements by American officials.

He reiterated Iran’s firm stance as an NPT member, asserting that nuclear enrichment will continue regardless of a deal, calling it a hard-earned and indigenous achievement.

“If the U.S. is interested in ensuring that Iran will not have nuclear weapons, a deal is within reach, and we are ready for a serious conversation to achieve a solution that will forever ensure that outcome. Enrichment in Iran, however, will continue with or without a deal,” Araghchi said.

Araghchi also said on Sunday that the next round of indirect talks between Iran and the US would be organized “soon.”

“The time for the next round of negotiations is almost determined, but it needs to be finalized. It will likely be announced soon,” the Iranian foreign minister added.

He noted that the place of the next round of indirect talks would be announced by the Omani foreign minister.

Iran has held four rounds of indirect talks with the US on a replacement for the 2015 deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which have been generally described as positive by the two sides.