Iran could militarize nuclear program amid pressures: Araghchi
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Iran's foreign minister underlines that his country might have to resort to militarizing its nuclear program in light of Western pressures.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a joint press briefing with his Syrian counterpart Bassam Sabbagh, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, November 19, 2024. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned on Thursday that ongoing Western threats to reimpose United Nations sanctions could push Iran's nuclear file toward militarization.
Speaking in Portugal, Araghchi underscored that such pressure might drive internal debates in Iran toward pursuing nuclear weapons—a course previously excluded from the country's security strategy.
During his remarks, Araghchi criticized the European Troika (France, Germany, and the UK), accusing them of adopting a confrontational stance against Iran. He also highlighted Tehran's decision to activate thousands of advanced centrifuges as a direct response to what he described as "nonconstructive policies" from these nations.
"Iran previously possessed the capability and knowledge to develop nuclear weapons, but this option has never been part of our strategic framework," Araghchi stated. He added that Iran has no current intention to enrich uranium beyond 60% but emphasized the need for equitable collaboration to resolve the nuclear issue honorably.
Geneva talks
Araghchi revealed that Iranian and European negotiators are set to meet in Geneva on Friday for what he termed a "brainstorming session" aimed at breaking the current deadlock. However, he questioned the viability of cooperation, noting, "We fulfilled all their demands, yet when it came to lifting sanctions, nothing materialized."
The talks come days after the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors adopted a US-French-German-British resolution criticizing Iran for insufficient cooperation on its nuclear program. In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization announced plans to expand its nuclear activities, including deploying advanced centrifuges.
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), agreed upon by Iran and the P5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany), imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the US withdrawal under former President Donald Trump in 2018 reignited tensions, with renewed sanctions prompting Tehran to scale back its compliance with the agreement.
Criticism for Iran
Last week, Al Mayadeen obtained a copy of the draft resolution presented by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States, which criticizes Iran for allegedly failing to disclose its nuclear activities.
The seven articles at the end of this draft indicate that Western countries want, through the resolution they have submitted against Iran, to re-implement the nuclear agreement signed in 2015.
However, they overlook the fact that the agreement is no longer in effect since the United States withdrew from it and the Europeans have failed to fulfill their obligations under the commitments they signed off on in 2016.
For the full text: Al Mayadeen obtains nuclear draft resolution submitted against Iran
On Sunday morning, during an open session of the Iranian Parliament, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded to the anti-Iran positions of the three European countries and the United States.
He criticized their unrealistic and harmful political stance, which led to the adoption of an unjustified and unanimous resolution by the IAEA Board of Governors concerning Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
Ghalibaf further explained that the three European countries and the United States are using Iran's peaceful nuclear activities as a pretext for illegitimate actions. He criticized them for undermining the IAEA's credibility and independence through dishonesty and non-compliance, which hinders constructive efforts to strengthen interactions between Iran and the IAEA.
In response to the political misuse of the IAEA Board of Governors, Ghalibaf stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran swiftly added the issue to its agenda and initiated the deployment of new and advanced centrifuges, emphasizing that the continuation of such political and unconstructive decisions will drive countries to take actions outside the IAEA's protocols to safeguard their national security.
