TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araguchi took to social media on Friday to reaffirm Tehran’s right to pursue a civilian nuclear program under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and directly counter it to stop the enrichment of uranium in order to directly counter recent US demands on Iran.
The statement has raised tensions over Washington’s contradictory rhetoric and the threat of new sanctions as indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States faced delays.
In a post on X, Araghchi argued that Iran’s enrichment activities violate international norms, writing:
He added that multiple NPT members will enrich uranium for civilian purposes without pursuing nuclear weapons, and that “the greatest positioning and incitemental rhetoric achieve nothing but erode the potential for success.”
A top Iranian diplomat concluded his statement by carefully optimistic tone, claiming that if the US demonstrates “a reliable and durable agreement is within reach” if it demonstrates “a solid political will and fair attitude.”
The Foreign Minister’s remarks served as a retort for Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In an interview with Fox News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that the deal with Iran “stops the enrichment of uranium” and would instead import nuclear fuel.
Rubio, who serves both as Secretary of State and interim national security adviser, argued that Iran’s domestic enrichment programme poses a growth risk.
Under the NPT, which Iran joined in 1970, nuclear-weapon states are permitted under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) surveillance, to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including enrichment.
Other NPT signatories, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and Brazil, enrich uranium for civilian use without pursuing nuclear weapons.
Germany and the Netherlands operate facilities through the Urenco Consortium, while the Japan Roccasho plant and the Brazilian Resende facility exemplify the self-sufficient nuclear programme monitored by the IAEA.
Similarly, Iran’s enrichment activities under the IAEA Safeguard have reached a high level, with the country claiming that its programme is purely civilian.
Mikhail Ulinov, the permanent president of Russia’s Vienna international organization, confirmed Aragut’s position, saying, “Minister Aragut is absolutely right. Under the NPT, political parties not only have basic obligations, but also have fundamental rights that cannot be asked.”
Stagnant talks and the contradictions of Washington
The latest nuclear talk, mediated by Oman, was suddenly postponed on Thursday after three indirect negotiations.
Omani officials cited “logistics reasons,” but some analysts attributed the delay to Washington’s provocative sanctions, threats and contradictory stances.
The US State Department approved seven entities related to Iran’s oil exports on April 30, and later approved a social media post that President Donald Trump vows to be punished by the nation that buys Iran’s oil.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the escalation of Trump’s sanctions and dismissed it as a recurrence of “failed tactics” that undermined diplomatic efforts. The department reaffirmed its commitment to a “fair and balanced” contract, warning that US sanctions and threats are merely “deepening distrust.”
The Trump administration sent mixed signals during negotiations. Envoy Steve Witkov initially proposed allowing limited enrichment for civilian use to reverse the course in a few days by requiring Iran to “eliminate nuclear enrichment and weaponization programmes.”
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses escalated tensions by warning Iran to social media about alleged support for Ansalala, declaring, “You will pay the results at the time and place we have chosen.”
Hegseth’s remarks sparked widespread criticism, with critics linking his stance to perceived job anxiety and demanding his firing, citing the removal of numerous senior Department of Defense officials, describing his leadership as confounding.
Others linked his actions to our set-up against Iemeni Ansalara. Republican leader Thomas Massey rebutted, arguing that the post appears to be violating Congress’ constitutional authority to declare war.
“The Secretary of Defense has no constitutional authority to declare war in a sovereign state,” he said. “The planned military attacks on Iran are an act of war and, according to the US Constitution, requires Congress to vote.”
The Trump administration’s contradictory tactics face further scrutiny from foreign policy analysts. Famous American political scientist John Meershimmer condemned Hegses’ rhetoric as “immature” in a recent interview, characterising it as “a regime filled with amateur people who do things with their bones.”