Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium, nuclear chief says
- Eslami said enrichment was “an inseparable part” of the nuclear process
- His comments come as Iran and the United States exchanged proposals in recent weeks
DUBAI: Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium, state media reported on Thursday, citing the head of the country’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami, after the US said Iran must make “meaningful” reductions in its enrichment capacity.
Dismissing renewed US threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities as “nothing new,” Eslami said enrichment was “an inseparable part” of the nuclear process.
Eslami’s comments come as Iran and the United States exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article refers to proposals aimed at 'ending the war' but never says the war followed Israeli and US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, which were struck again in March 2026. A reader learns there is a war and a closed strait without learning that the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites came from Israel and the US.
How we know
- Anadolu Agency (English) reported“following Israeli and US attacks on the country's nuclear facilities”Iran rejects giving up uranium enrichment, handing over enriched stockpile (opens in a new tab)
- Anadolu Agency (English) reported“Natanz was struck again during US-Israeli attacks in March 2026”Iran rejects giving up uranium enrichment, handing over enriched stockpile (opens in a new tab)
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said on Thursday that Iran could reply within days to a US response to Iran’s proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days if necessary conditions were met.
“Enrichment is an integral part of the nuclear process, and we will not abandon it in any way. How can you claim to have a nuclear industry if you don’t have the starting point of the process? The nuclear industry is the driving force of science and technology,” Eslami added.
US President Donald Trump said later on Thursday that the United States is having productive discussions with Iran and will not launch any attack before the US midterm congressional elections in November.
Israel, the US and other Western states have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, including pointing to its move to enrich uranium to 60 percent, far higher than needed for civilian uses and closer to the 90 percent needed for a weapon.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Iranian authorities have said that Tehran could agree to dilute its most highly enriched uranium.
Read the original article on arabnews.com (opens in a new tab)