Iran Us talks : Iran Rejects Calls to Halt Enrichment, Sends Strong Signal to US

Iran Us talks : Iran’s top diplomat has asserted that the country’s greatness stems from its ability to “say no to the great powers,” adopting a maximalist tone just after talks with the US over its nuclear program and amid widespread protests.

Speaking to diplomats at a summit in Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that Iran would maintain its position that it must be permitted to enrich uranium, which is a major source of contention with President Donald Trump, who struck Iranian nuclear sites in June during the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict.

Iran Us talks : Nuclear rhetoric

While Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Friday’s negotiations in Oman with the Americans as “a step forward,” Araghchi’s statements highlighted the hurdles that lie ahead. The US has already deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with ships and airplanes, to the Middle East in order to compel Iran into reaching an agreement and to maintain the ability to strike the Islamic Republic if Trump so chooses.

“I believe the secret of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s power lies in its ability to stand against bullying, domination and pressures from others,” Araghchi told CNN. “They are afraid of our nuclear weapons, despite the fact that we are not pursuing one. Our nuclear weapon gives us the ability to say no to great powers. The Islamic Republic’s power lies in its ability to say no to the powers.”

Araghchi’s explicit use of the term “atomic bomb” as a rhetorical device seems deliberate. While Iran has always claimed that its nuclear program is benign, Western countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency claim Tehran had a planned military program aimed at creating a weapon until 2003.

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Iran has been enriching uranium to up to 60% purity, a short technological step away from the weapons grade level of 90%, making it the only non-weapons state to do so. Iranian authorities have increasingly stated that the Islamic Republic may pursue a bomb, despite diplomats citing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments as a binding fatwa, or religious edict, forbidding the development of such a weapon.

Military pressure and uncertainty in discussions

Pezeshkian, who directed Araghchi to pursue discussions with the Americans after most likely obtaining Khamenei’s assent, also remarked on the conversations in a post on X on Sunday.

“The Iran US talks, which were held through the follow up efforts of friendly governments in the region, were a step forward,” the president stated.The method we have traditionally used to find peaceful solutions is dialogue. “The Iranian people have always responded to respect with respect, but they will not tolerate the language of force,” he said.

Iran-US Talks Update

It is unknown whether, when, and where a second round of discussions will take place. Trump provided few details during Friday’s discussion, but said, “Iran appears to want to make a deal as badly as they should.”

During the meetings in Oman, US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, was there, which was generally interpreted as a warning to Iran of the American military presence in the region. Cooper later accompanied US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to the Lincoln in the Arabian Sea following the indirect talks.

Araghchi appeared to recognize the gravity of a hypothetical US military strike, echoing concerns raised by many Iranians in recent weeks. He stated that after several rounds of talks last year, the United States “attacked us in the midst of negotiations.”

“If you take a step back in negotiations, it is not clear up to where it will go,” Araghchi explained.