Iranian FM says any fresh nuclear deal must allow uranium enrichment

Iran's domestically built centrifuges are displayed in an exhibition of the country's nuclear achievements, in Tehran, Iran, February 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iran's domestically built centrifuges are displayed in an exhibition of the country's nuclear achievements, in Tehran, Iran, February 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran insisted Saturday that any new nuclear deal must respect its right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, rejecting US demands for a halt.

“I would like to emphasise that in any negotiated solution, the rights of the Iranian people on the nuclear issue, including the right to enrichment, must be respected,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told diplomats in Tehran. “We will not have any agreement in which enrichment is not included.”

Araghchi says Tehran is open to new talks on a deal.

“We are examining its timing, its location, its form, its ingredients, the assurances it requires” from Iran for possible negotiations, says Araghchi says.

Tehran and Washington had been engaged in talks since April, but those efforts were disrupted when Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 13, just two days before a planned meeting in Oman, and 61 days after US President Donald Trump set a 60-day deadline for talks.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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