WANA (May 28) – The Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) emphasized that denying Iran the ability to enrich uranium is tantamount to dismantling its entire nuclear industry — a red line for the Islamic Republic of Iran. He stressed that in any negotiation, the central point is that Iran must unequivocally retain its enrichment capabilities.

 

On Wednesday, May 28, Mohammad Eslami, the AEOI Chief, responded to media speculation about a potential proposal to form a regional enrichment consortium. He stated, “Iran’s position on the nuclear issue is entirely legal, lawful, and fundamental. Uranium enrichment is the backbone and foundation of the country’s nuclear industry. To draw a parallel with the electricity sector, imagine someone is allowed to have power substations and a grid, but not power plants — such a setup would be useless. Enrichment plays the same fundamental role in nuclear energy as power plants do in electricity generation: it is the core source of energy production.”

 

The Need for Domestic Enrichment Has Been Clearly Communicated

Reiterating the importance of enrichment, Eslami said: “Enrichment is the basis from which various energy-related and even non-energy processes stem. Taking away this capability means eliminating the entire nuclear industry — a red line that Iran will not cross. This position has been communicated to negotiating parties both verbally and in writing with full clarity.”

 

He emphasized that what is being circulated in foreign media and certain political circles does not reflect the reality of the negotiations. “These are narratives manufactured and disseminated by specific groups. At the negotiation table, the core issue remains: Iran must undoubtedly retain its enrichment capability.”

 

Iran’s Nuclear Doctrine: No Weapons, Only Peaceful Use

Eslami clarified that two key principles govern Iran’s nuclear policy:

1. Iran has clearly declared it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

2. Enrichment in Iran will never be used for weapon production.

 

“These are firm commitments, and the Islamic Republic has no plans beyond what it has transparently declared.”

 

IAEA Should Resist Zionist Influence and Act Professionally

Regarding the visit of the IAEA Deputy Director General to Tehran, Eslami explained: “This visit is part of the agreement and joint statement made in March 2023 to review remaining sites. We hope the agency will end its susceptibility to Zionist influence and adopt a professional approach. With the actions taken and arrangements made, we hope to resolve the issues surrounding the two remaining sites. This was a promise made by Mr. Grossi (IAEA Director General), and we’re optimistic that today’s discussions and on-site inspections will mark progress.”

 

He reiterated: “Iran’s nuclear industry is completely peaceful and has always operated under continuous monitoring by the IAEA. There has never been any lack of transparency in our nuclear activities.”

Mohammad Eslami, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). April 17, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Countering Propaganda and Maintaining Agency Independence

Eslami condemned the ongoing smear campaigns by opposition groups and anti-Iran factions, stating: “Since the revolution, these groups have continually spread lies and false accusations to create distractions for international bodies. These repetitive claims often mention new names or sites, which later prove to be fake. We hope the IAEA maintains its independence and moves away from the unusual patterns it has adopted in recent years.”

 

Enrichment Levels: A Technical, Not Political, Matter

Asked about the potential acceptance of American inspectors, Eslami responded: “Countries that have shown hostility toward Iran and acted irresponsibly are not considered acceptable as inspectors. We have consistently avoided accepting inspectors from such countries, just as they do not accept Iranian inspectors. However, if ongoing negotiations lead to an agreement that includes Iran’s demands, we may reconsider accepting American inspectors through the IAEA.”

 

On the possibility of halting enrichment, he stated: “This is not on the table. Enrichment levels should not be politicized. The required level of enrichment depends on its intended application. High-enriched uranium is not necessarily for military use. Many nuclear sensors and detectors require specific enrichment levels. This is a technical matter, not one for political maneuvering or psychological operations.”

 

He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program has a clearly defined framework: “Iranian nuclear power plants and fuel production are active projects. A fully Iranian power plant using entirely domestic fuel is currently underway. All necessary equipment is being manufactured domestically, and the fuel production process is ongoing under full IAEA oversight.”

Iran Undergoes the World’s Most Extensive Nuclear Inspections

Eslami noted that Iran is subjected to the most intensive inspections by the IAEA: “In 2024, the IAEA inspections of Iran reached an all-time global high. Although our nuclear capacity is less than 3% of the world’s, we are subjected to 25% of the agency’s total inspections. We undergo inspections at more than 12 times the global average. No nation has tolerated as much pressure as we have. We accepted this level of scrutiny to build trust, and we are proud that there’s no pretext left for our critics.”

 

Enrichment Vital for Domestic Industries, Especially Healthcare

He explained that stopping enrichment would harm vital sectors, especially healthcare: “Over one million patients rely on radiopharmaceuticals annually. Without 20% enriched fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor, production of these medicines would halt. Other irradiation systems, accelerators, and targets essential for food and pharmaceutical production would also be disrupted.”

 

Eslami added that research reactors, which produce isotopes and precision instruments, are dependent on enrichment. “Halting enrichment would deprive society of essential services tied to this technology. It would also severely impact universities, basic science research, software development, and neutron calculations.”

 

He warned that scientific progress would be at risk: “If enrichment is taken away, Iran’s scientific growth will be jeopardized. No country would sell us the necessary hardware or software. This has been proven time and again over the past 50 years. Furthermore, industries like vacuum technology — crucial for both nuclear and non-nuclear applications — would suffer. The existence of a nuclear industry and enrichment capabilities has enabled the development of advanced technologies that benefit other sectors as well.”