Iran reaffirms to E3 uranium enrichment as non-negotiable in Istanbul
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Iran reaffirms its red line on uranium enrichment and demands full sanctions relief, verifiable guarantees, and non-interference in domestic affairs, as Tehran engages in indirect talks with the US and the European Troika.
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Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of Iran, Majid Takht Ravanchi, in an undated photo (Iran MoFA)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, confirmed that uranium enrichment on Iranian soil remains a non-negotiable element in any future agreement, as reiterated during the latest talks in Istanbul.
In an interview with Turkey's Khabar Turk channel on Saturday, Takht-Ravanchi stated that the date and location of the next round of talks have yet to be determined. However, he emphasized that Istanbul is a preferred option for both Tehran and the European Troika, consisting of France, Germany, and the UK.
He also revealed that Iran and the United States are exchanging messages through intermediary states, underscoring the ongoing indirect diplomatic communication between the two sides.
The top Iranian diplomat especially stressed that Tehran made it clear to European negotiators that uranium enrichment is a red line and must continue within Iran’s territory.
Regarding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Takht-Ravanchi noted that the agency’s inspectors had prior knowledge of the location of Iran’s nuclear materials before the recent aggression on Iran, adding that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will issue a statement after assessing the damage.
Iran's priorities are non-negotiable
Yesterday, Iran's deputy foreign minister stated that during the Iranian delegation’s meeting with representatives from the E3 in Istanbul, Iran’s priorities included lifting the "oppressive sanctions" and safeguarding its rights under the NPT, particularly the right to uranium enrichment.
As a key member of Iran’s negotiating team, Takht-Ravanchi attended talks in Istanbul with Germany, Britain, and France, the European parties to the JCPOA, and shared these remarks in a press briefing after Friday’s meeting.
He noted that the meeting followed previous rounds of talks, but with the key difference that Iran had now been attacked by the Israeli regime and the US, prompting the Iranian delegation to condemn the assaults as clear violations of international law and the UN Charter while also criticizing the E3’s stance on the matter.
Read more: No change in Iran’s nuclear stance post-aggression: Araghchi
