TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araguchi declared on Thursday that Tehran would not close or demolish its nuclear facility.
His remarks at the public forum at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair highlighted Iran’s solid commitment to maintaining civilian nuclear infrastructure, following four rounds of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States, insisting sanctions relief in exchange for transparency measures.
“To defend the rights of Iranian people in the nuclear sector, including (uranium) enrichment, is one of these principles and rights of those who we do not compromise on, not the media or the negotiation table,” Araguchi declared at the Foreign Ministry booth. “This is the right of the people of Iran and no one can deny it.”
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made it clear that the proposal to completely dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure was unacceptable.
He emphasized that while Iran is engaged in a peace-seeking dialogue, it will not compromise its nuclear capabilities.
“Nuclear energy plays a key role in healthcare, technological advancements, agriculture, environmental sustainability and industry. This achievement is not something we can easily surrender,” Pezeschkian said.
Reaffirming Iran’s position, the president added, “Iran will not waive its peaceful nuclear rights.”
Continuing his remarks at the Book Fair, Araguchi directly rebutted the claim that Washington had submitted a written proposal during recent debates.
“During the speech, the ideas were presented to the other side in written form, but have not been given written suggestions so far,” he said.
His comments provided a different perspective than President Donald Trump. On Friday, Trump told reporters that Iran “has a proposal” and warned him that “they either move quickly, know that something is going to happen, or that something is going to happen.”
The Reuters report cited an unknown Iranian source that was later close to the meeting. He said that Iran has not yet received the documents, but Oman (a Tehran-Washington intermediary) has got it and will “hand it over to Tehran soon.”
Araguchi repeated the central demand for Iran: verifiable sanctions removal before reversed nuclear advances.
“We may clarify the (nuclear) process, but none of the nuclear facilities will be demolished,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that negotiations have not yet established a shared framework. “If we reach a framework of understanding and agreement, other issues will be raised, but we have not yet reached that point.”