TEHRAN – Iran has firmly stated it will not abandon its nuclear programme, including uranium enrichment, despite severe damage caused by recent U.S. airstrikes on its key nuclear sites. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said enrichment has temporarily stopped due to the attacks, but Iran sees the programme as a symbol of national achievement and pride.
Iran is preparing to meet the UK, France, and Germany in Istanbul on Friday to discuss the future of its nuclear programme. This meeting will be the first since Iran’s 12-day conflict with Israel, during which the United States launched several strikes on Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure. However, Iran blames European powers for failing to uphold the 2015 nuclear agreement.
The 2015 deal placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but it began to unravel in 2018 when the U.S. unilaterally pulled out under then-President Donald Trump. Although Europe promised to maintain the agreement, the economic mechanism they proposed never materialized, forcing many businesses to leave Iran.
Iran has also held separate discussions with China and Russia, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties and counter Western pressure. China pledged to continue playing a constructive role, urging all parties to return to dialogue and negotiations. Meanwhile, European countries have warned that international sanctions could be reimposed if Iran breaches its commitments.
Germany confirmed the upcoming talks will be at the expert level, with the E3 (UK, France, Germany) working intensively to find a viable diplomatic solution. Officials noted that if progress isn’t made by the end of August, they may activate the “snapback” mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions. The original deal is set to expire in October, adding urgency to the talks.
Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are strictly for peaceful purposes and denies any intent to develop weapons. Yet, it remains the only non-nuclear-armed country enriching uranium to 60 percent—well above the 3.67 percent limit set by the deal. Tehran says it has no intention of holding direct talks with the U.S. at this stage, as tensions remain high following the strikes by Israel and America in June.