Iran reaffirms to UN chief Guterres right to uranium enrichment
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Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi briefs UN chief Antonio Guterres on the latest developments in indirect nuclear talks with the US, as well as Oman’s preparations for the next round of discussions.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a news conference following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, Friday, April 18, 2025 (Pool Photo via AP)
Iran has the right to uranium enrichment as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed during a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday.
In their conversation, Araghchi briefed Guterres on the latest developments in indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, as well as Oman’s preparations for the next round of discussions.
Araghchi emphasized Iran’s responsible approach to resolving the issue over its peaceful nuclear program and stressed that any progress depends on serious engagement and realism from the other side.
Right to peaceful nuclear energy
The minister reaffirmed that, while Iran complies with its NPT obligations, it insists on its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment for its national interests.
I generally refrain from airing arguments on key negotiation elements through the media.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 2, 2025
What I will say is that repeating falsehoods will not change basic facts. As a founding signatory to the NPT, Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle. Moreover, there…
The top Iranian diplomat pointed out that breaches of commitments by others complicate achieving a fair and lasting agreement.
For a balanced deal, he insisted that illegal issues, which violate the NPT, must be avoided, and assurances should be given regarding the lifting of sanctions and securing Iran’s economic rights.
Araghchi criticized the US for its contradictory behavior and statements, particularly regarding sanctions and threats, which have deepened distrust and undermined diplomatic efforts.
He also mentioned multiple rounds of talks with European powers (Germany, France, and the UK) in the past year, stressing Iran's willingness to continue engagement with them.
He expressed hope that the European nations would adopt a constructive approach to resolve outstanding issues peacefully.
Iran stands firm Trump threats 'will not change' positions
Earlier on Friday, Iran declared that the continuation of US sanctions targeting its trade partners will not alter its policy direction.
The statement came in response to renewed threats from US President Donald Trump, who vowed to penalize any country or individual engaged in trade involving Iranian oil.
"The continuation of these illegal behaviours will not change Iran's logical, legitimate and international law-based positions," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
Tehran condemned the sanctions as a form of pressure on its economic partners and warned they have deepened mistrust over the US approach to diplomacy.
Trump demands global boycott of Iranian oil
On Thursday, Trump used his Truth Social platform to call for an immediate and total halt to the purchase of Iranian oil and petrochemical products.
"All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW!" he wrote.
"Any Country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions," he added.
The post marked an escalation in Trump’s revived "maximum pressure" strategy, which has included a new round of sanctions targeting seven companies accused of transporting petroleum products of Iranian origin.
US-Iran talks postponed
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Iran announced the postponement of a fourth round of nuclear talks with the United States, initially scheduled for Saturday in Rome.
The talks, facilitated by Oman, were delayed due to "logistical reasons", with a new date yet to be confirmed.
Postponement result of US conflicting stances
Iranian sources told Al Mayadeen on Thursday that the postponement came in light of the conflicting positions taken by the US administration regarding the talks.
They added that the postponement was due to Washington’s attempt to alter the general framework of the talks, which had been previously agreed upon.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a new date for the fourth round of talks will be set "depending on the US approach."
"US sanctions on Iran during the nuclear talks are not helping the sides to resolve the nuclear dispute through diplomacy," the official told Reuters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that "on Iran's part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution."
"In fact, we are more determined than ever to achieve a just and balanced deal: guaranteeing an end to sanctions, and creating confidence that Iran's nuclear program will forever remain peaceful while ensuring that Iranian rights are fully respected," the top Iranian diplomat asserted in a post on X.
Together with Omani and U.S. interlocutors, we have decided to postpone the 4th round of talks for logistical and technical reasons.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 1, 2025
On Iran's part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution.
In fact, we are more determined than ever to achieve a…
On its part, the US said it expects the next round of talks with Iran to take place soon.
"We expect another round of talks that will take place in the near future," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters, saying that the weekend meeting had never been confirmed.
Resumed diplomacy
Since April 12, Tehran and Washington have engaged in three rounds of dialogue, the most significant contact on the nuclear issue since Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
These recent talks were initiated after Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei in March, calling for renewed discussions while simultaneously warning of potential military action if diplomacy did not succeed.
The tension surrounding Iran’s nuclear program has intensified since the US exit from the JCPOA, which had provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities.
Iran remained in compliance for a year following the withdrawal but gradually began scaling back its commitments.
Western governments have accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran firmly rejects.
Iranian officials maintain that the country’s nuclear program is strictly for peaceful, civilian purposes.
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