Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Nov 20: Iran will not accept any agreement that requires the elimination of uranium enrichment within its borders, as such a move would amount to a “betrayal,” Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared on Wednesday. Speaking to Iran’s Khabar Online news agency, Araghchi said uranium enrichment has become a matter of national pride, and Iran has paid a significant price to preserve it.

Araghchi noted that Iran continues to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) only in relation to nuclear facilities that were not struck during the June attacks by Israel and the United States, according to a report carried by Xinhua.

For months, the United States and several European nations have urged Tehran to halt all enrichment activities. Iran, however, has consistently dismissed these calls, maintaining that its right to enrichment is non-negotiable. The country suspended broader cooperation with the IAEA in June under parliamentary mandate, accusing the agency of failing to condemn the US and Israeli strikes and citing concerns over the safety of its nuclear infrastructure and personnel.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei firmly denied recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Washington and Tehran were engaged in nuclear discussions. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Baghaei insisted that no negotiations are taking place between the two nations. His comments came a day after Trump, during a White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, suggested that Iran was eager to pursue a new deal.

Baghaei criticised the United States for what he described as a history of broken promises and unreasonable demands, arguing that there is no rational basis for negotiations with a country that does not view diplomacy as a mutual process and has openly taken pride in actions Iran regards as military aggression.

He also addressed a message recently sent by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to the Saudi crown prince ahead of his US visit, clarifying that the communication was strictly bilateral. The message conveyed Iran’s appreciation for assistance provided to its pilgrims during last year’s Hajj and highlighted the importance of continued coordination for the upcoming pilgrimage.