Last month, a U.S. missile strike caused “severe damage” to Iran’s nuclear facility, but Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Aragchi, stated that the country plans to proceed with its uranium enrichment efforts once it is rebuilt. He made these comments during an interview with Brett Beyer on Fox News’ Special Report.
Aragchi acknowledged the extent of the damage, admitting that the facility was largely destroyed. Since President Trump ordered military action against three uranium enrichment sites on June 22, Iran has struggled to advance its nuclear fuel capabilities.
Following the interview’s broadcast, Trump took to social media to express skepticism about the airstrike’s effectiveness, demanding an apology from CNN.
“The damages are serious, and they will be rebuilt,” Aragchi claimed, adding that enhancement efforts would resume for “peaceful purposes.” He emphasized that the enrichment is not just a scientific pursuit but also a matter of national pride for Iran.
Further, Aragchi stated that discussions with the Trump administration were unlikely to result in any agreements restricting uranium enrichment, as he described such restrictions as an affront to the dignity of the Iranian people.
“If the aim is to ensure Iran doesn’t pursue nuclear weapons, then that can be done,” he explained, “But if it’s about stripping Iran of its rights, including the right to enrich, then that will lead to complications.” He maintained that the current halt in enrichment was due to recent attacks on its facilities and that any future agreements should recognize Iran’s rights to continue enrichment.
Despite the damage, he underscored that Iran possesses the expertise and resources needed to rebuild its technical capabilities, insisting that the scientific community and infrastructure still exist in the country. “Building can be rebuilt. The technology is here. Our scientists are still here,” he said, noting that he’s confident about the resilience of their nuclear program.
Aragchi also hinted at the challenges of military action against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, asserting that such efforts have shown that there is no feasible military solution.
When pressed for details about existing stockpiles of enriched uranium, he mentioned that he couldn’t confirm if they were impacted during the airstrikes. Additionally, Iranian officials have indicated a reluctance to comply with the Trump administration’s demands, including the cessation of missile production and funding for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
“We have always supported our allies,” he stated, defending Iran’s position in relation to these groups.
He concluded by emphasizing Iran’s need for a reliable defense system and expressed skepticism about the feasibility of disarming, stating, “How could I disarm myself? Would anyone expect that?”
Trump has suggested that future nuclear deals with Iran should have strict provisions to prevent Iran from resuming uranium enrichment. Aragchi, however, mentioned that while Iran is open to dialogue, any negotiations won’t be direct for the time being.
