Despite mounting Western concerns that Iran might be pursuing nuclear weapons and after the postponement of talks with the United States, Tehran defended its “right” to enrich uranium.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that “Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle,” citing Tehran’s longstanding membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
“There are several NPT members that enrich uranium while wholly rejecting nuclear weapons,” Araghchi said.
Under the NPT, signatory states are obliged to declare their nuclear stockpiles and place them under the supervision of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“There are several NPT members which enrich uranium while wholly rejecting nuclear weapons,” Araghchi said.
Iran currently enriches uranium to 60% purity — far above the 3.67% limit set in the 2015 deal with the United States and other world powers, but below the 90% needed for weapons-grade material.
Under the NPT, signatory states are obliged to declare their nuclear stockpiles and place them under the supervision of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iran and the United States have engaged in nuclear talks since April 12, their highest-level contact since Washington withdrew from a landmark deal with Tehran in 2018, during Donald Trump’s first term as US president.
