Iran is prepared for confrontation or cooperation regarding its nuclear program, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi. On Thursday, Aragchi met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi. After the meeting, he said Iran was ready to negotiate its nuclear program, but “not under pressure and threats.”
“Our nuclear path in the coming year will be delicate and complex, and we are prepared for confrontation or cooperation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said in an interview on state television.
In his opinion, the nuclear agreement that Iran and world powers concluded in 2015 no longer has the same value for Tehran as it did then. In 2018, ruled by Donald Trump The US withdrew from this agreement and reinstated restrictions on Iran.
– If negotiations begin, the nuclear agreement (of 2015) can serve as a reference point, but it no longer has its previous meaning, the politician emphasized.
Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi (right) and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Iran ready to negotiate, but “not under pressure and threats”
On Thursday, Aragchi met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi. After the meeting, he said Iran was ready to negotiate its nuclear program, but “not under pressure and threats.”
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, Iran can enrich uranium to a level no higher than 3.67 percent, and in exchange for Tehran's commitment, international economic sanctions on the country were lifted.
Nuclear deal was suspended during the administration of US President Donald Trumpafter America withdrew from the JCPOA.
Talks on reviving the nuclear agreement, which have been ongoing in Vienna for several years, have so far ended in failure. Delegations of the signatory countries of the pact, i.e. Iran and RussiaGreat Britain, France, China and German. The Americans participated in the talks indirectly because Tehran did not agree to their presence at the negotiating table.
Iran's nuclear programPAP
At the beginning of 2023, the IAEA warned that Iran had 18 times more uranium enriched to 60 percent than the 2015 nuclear agreement. Last November, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran had more than 128 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, while 42 kilograms, after further enrichment, was enough to produce one nuclear bomb.
Tehran later slowed its production of enriched uranium somewhat, but late last year the rate tripled, rising from about 3 kg to about 9 kg per month.
Main photo source: EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH