Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Nov 2: Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has declared that Tehran will not engage in direct negotiations with Washington, though it remains open to reaching an agreement through indirect channels.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, released on Saturday, Araghchi said Iran is prepared to discuss concerns surrounding its nuclear program, but emphasized that such discussions would not involve face-to-face talks with the United States.

“We have no desire to hold direct negotiations with Washington, but an agreement can be achieved through indirect negotiations,” Araghchi stated.

Reaffirming the peaceful intent of Iran’s nuclear activities, he insisted that uranium enrichment will continue, arguing that external pressure or conflict would not force Tehran to abandon its nuclear advancements.

“What could not be achieved by war cannot be achieved through politics,” he said.

Araghchi also revealed that Iran’s 400 kg stockpile of 60% enriched uranium remains buried beneath the rubble of its bombed nuclear sites and has not been relocated. “We suffered heavy structural and equipment losses, but our nuclear technology remains intact,” he noted, referring to the U.S. bombing of Iran’s Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan facilities on June 22.

Before the attacks, Iran and the United States had completed five rounds of indirect negotiations aimed at easing U.S. sanctions and resolving disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program. The diplomatic momentum, however, collapsed following Israel’s large-scale airstrikes on Iranian territory, later joined by U.S. forces.

In recent months, Washington has repeatedly urged Tehran to halt uranium enrichment and curb its missile program—demands that Iran has categorically rejected. Araghchi reiterated that both issues are non-negotiable, maintaining that Iran’s defense and nuclear capabilities are matters of national sovereignty.