WANA (Jul 12) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not ceased, but has entered a new format, and in any negotiations, Iran’s enrichment right must be respected.

 

He clarified that Iran’s military capabilities are off the table, and any move by Europe to trigger the snapback mechanism would signify the end of their role in Iran’s nuclear issue.

 

Speaking at a meeting with ambassadors, chargés d’affaires, and heads of foreign missions in Tehran, Araghchi emphasized:

 

“Iran has always been a committed member of the NPT and has cooperated with the Agency. Our cooperation has not stopped; it has simply taken a new shape. From now on, all interactions with the IAEA will be managed through the Supreme National Security Council.”

 

He explained that IAEA requests for further cooperation would be considered individually by the Council, taking into account safety and national security considerations.

 

Security Concerns Over IAEA Access to Attacked Nuclear Sites

The foreign minister highlighted the risks associated with granting access to nuclear sites that have been targeted in recent attacks:

 

“It is a fact that some of our nuclear facilities have come under military attack. Approaching these sites currently poses risks such as radiation spread or explosions from leftover munitions. Therefore, the safety and security of inspectors is a key concern.”

 

Araghchi reiterated that cooperation with the IAEA remains in place, but within a new structure and under strict safety protocols.

 

120 Countries Condemned U.S. and Israeli Attacks on Iran

Turning to international reactions, Araghchi stated: “Around 120 countries have condemned the aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran.”

 

He criticized the silence of key international bodies: “Unfortunately, the UN Security Council did not condemn these attacks. The IAEA Board of Governors also failed to react. These assaults damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but more importantly, they harmed the NPT and international law.”

 

Araghchi expressed gratitude to all countries that condemned the attacks and showed solidarity with the Iranian government and people.

 

No Solution Except Return to Diplomacy

The Iranian foreign minister stressed the importance of diplomacy as the only viable path forward: “There is no alternative to a negotiated and mutually agreed solution. The recent war has proven this more than ever.”

 

However, he warned that trust must be mutual: “Iran is still prepared to provide assurances through diplomacy. But before that, the other parties must show us that they truly want diplomacy—not using it as a cover for their objectives.”

 

Snapback Would End Europe’s Role in Iran’s Nuclear Issue

Araghchi noted that Iran had been engaged in consultations with the European trio—Germany, France, and the UK—alongside talks with the U.S. But he warned:

 

“These three countries wrongly believe that having the snapback tool gives them leverage over Iran’s nuclear issue. This is a mistaken notion. If these countries move towards snapback, resolving Iran’s nuclear issue will become even more complicated and even more difficult—just as the U.S. did by choosing military option.”

 

“Using snapback would mean the end of Europe’s role in the Iran nuclear issue,” he clarified.

 

He added: “And perhaps it would become the darkest point in the history of Iran’s relations with the three European countries, a point that might never be repaired again. Considering recent experiences, we hope rationality returns to the Western countries and the US, and that by abandoning all tools of pressure and threats, they return to diplomacy, as there is no solution other than a negotiated one.”

 

Enrichment Right Must Be Respected in Any Talks

Reaffirming Iran’s nuclear rights, Araghchi insisted that any future negotiations must respect Iran’s right to enrichment:

 

“In any negotiated solution and any negotiation, the rights of the Iranian people in the nuclear issue, including the right to enrichment, must be respected. We will not accept any agreement that does not include enrichment. Enrichment is a great scientific achievement of Iranian scientists, and we will preserve this achievement.”

 

He continued: “Many efforts have been made and many sacrifices have been given to protect this achievement, and more importantly, in recent times, we even entered a war because of it. War was imposed on us, and we fought for it. If negotiations take place, as mentioned, the subject will only be nuclear, and it will be about creating assurance regarding Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. No other topics will be on the table.”

 

Military Capabilities Are Non-Negotiable

Araghchi stressed that Iran’s military strength is not open to discussion:

 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will preserve its capabilities, especially its military capabilities, under any circumstances. Our defensive capabilities are for defending the people of Iran, and in the recent war, they clearly showed their power. These capabilities will not be the subject of any negotiation.”

 

Nuclear Weapons Are Not Only Inhumane But Also Un-Islamic

In another part of his remarks at this meeting, he said: “For more than 20 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been trying to prove to countries that have concerns in this regard that its nuclear program is peaceful. We have taken every path to prove that Iran’s nuclear program, based on the fatwa of the Supreme Leader, is peaceful and will remain peaceful.”

 

He added: “If we had intended to move towards nuclear weapons, we would have done so before, or perhaps now we would have the best pretext for it. But we adhere to principles derived from our Islamic and human beliefs. We consider nuclear weapons not only inhumane but, based on Islamic teachings and the fatwa of the Supreme Leader, also un-Islamic.”

 

We Have Always Been Ready to Talk About Our Nuclear Program

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated: “We have always been ready to talk about our nuclear program and will continue to be so in the future.” He added: “But naturally, it must be ensured that if negotiations resume, they will not be dragged into war by the US or other countries.”

 

The Americans Betrayed Diplomacy And the Negotiating Table

Addressing the audience, he noted: “As you know, we were negotiating when Israel, with US coordination, attacked Iran, and subsequently, the US itself directly targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities. The Americans betrayed diplomacy and the negotiating table. If they now seek to resume negotiations, there must be assurance that such actions will not be repeated and that we will not witness such measures from them again.”

 

Iran’s Nuclear Program Cannot Be Eliminated

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasized: “By attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Americans made achieving a negotiated solution more difficult and more complicated, while from the very beginning, everyone believed that Iran’s nuclear program has no military solution. After the recent attack, it was once again proven that there is no military solution.”

 

“Iran’s nuclear program cannot be eliminated through bombing or military attacks, and the simple reason is that Iran has acquired the technology and knowledge in this field, and knowledge cannot be destroyed by bombing. However, to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, it is possible to reach negotiated solutions, just as we saw in the past, including in 2015,” he continued.

 

He added, “The agreement that was reached in 2015 was the result of diplomacy, and the entire world celebrated the outcome of that diplomacy and accepted that diplomacy works and can resolve very complex problems.”