Tehran Issues Warning About Potential Expansion of Nuclear Program
Iran may broaden its nuclear program in response to a critical resolution from the IAEA, according to FM Abbas Araghchi. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Iran may consider expanding its nuclear program if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approves a new resolution criticizing the country, warned Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday. In an interview aired on Iranian state television, he expressed Tehran's readiness to cooperate with the UN atomic watchdog to clear concerns about its nuclear activities, provided the agency refrains from political pressure.
Araghchi's comments came ahead of an upcoming meeting of the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors scheduled for next week. It has been reported that several members of the board, including France, the UK, and Germany, are advocating for a new resolution aimed at increasing oversight of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Their intention is to persuade Tehran to accept further limitations on its nuclear operations, as indicated by diplomatic sources cited earlier by Reuters. However, Iran has consistently stated it will not engage under duress.
“Our behavior towards the IAEA is completely professional. The agency is a technical body and should fulfill its duties in the technical field, and it does not have the right to enter politics,” asserted Araghchi during his interview.
He warned that if a resolution were adopted against Iran, the country would respond with reciprocal measures, stating, “We will take new measures in our nuclear program that they will certainly not like.” He elaborated that Tehran is prepared for both “confrontation” and “cooperation,” depending on the actions taken by the IAEA. Araghchi mentioned that he communicated this position to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during his recent visit to Iran.
Western nations have long viewed Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts as a covert pursuit of nuclear weapons, despite persistent denials from Tehran. The 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers imposed limits on its nuclear development in exchange for significant sanctions relief. However, the agreement unraveled after the U.S. withdrawal in 2018. Since then, Iran has significantly enhanced its enrichment capabilities, and efforts to restore the deal have stalled.
According to Araghchi, Iran is open to renegotiating the 2015 agreement but insists that any new deal must be based on mutually beneficial conditions.
Following his trip to Tehran, Grossi remarked that Iran's enrichment capabilities are nearing the threshold necessary for weaponization. He urged both Iran and the global powers to expedite negotiations regarding the country’s nuclear program, asserting that the current regional tensions in the Middle East are diminishing the prospects for diplomacy. Grossi cautioned against any assaults on Iranian nuclear sites, emphasizing that such actions could lead to severe radiological repercussions for the entire region.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
Araghchi's comments came ahead of an upcoming meeting of the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors scheduled for next week. It has been reported that several members of the board, including France, the UK, and Germany, are advocating for a new resolution aimed at increasing oversight of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Their intention is to persuade Tehran to accept further limitations on its nuclear operations, as indicated by diplomatic sources cited earlier by Reuters. However, Iran has consistently stated it will not engage under duress.
“Our behavior towards the IAEA is completely professional. The agency is a technical body and should fulfill its duties in the technical field, and it does not have the right to enter politics,” asserted Araghchi during his interview.
He warned that if a resolution were adopted against Iran, the country would respond with reciprocal measures, stating, “We will take new measures in our nuclear program that they will certainly not like.” He elaborated that Tehran is prepared for both “confrontation” and “cooperation,” depending on the actions taken by the IAEA. Araghchi mentioned that he communicated this position to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during his recent visit to Iran.
Western nations have long viewed Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts as a covert pursuit of nuclear weapons, despite persistent denials from Tehran. The 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers imposed limits on its nuclear development in exchange for significant sanctions relief. However, the agreement unraveled after the U.S. withdrawal in 2018. Since then, Iran has significantly enhanced its enrichment capabilities, and efforts to restore the deal have stalled.
According to Araghchi, Iran is open to renegotiating the 2015 agreement but insists that any new deal must be based on mutually beneficial conditions.
Following his trip to Tehran, Grossi remarked that Iran's enrichment capabilities are nearing the threshold necessary for weaponization. He urged both Iran and the global powers to expedite negotiations regarding the country’s nuclear program, asserting that the current regional tensions in the Middle East are diminishing the prospects for diplomacy. Grossi cautioned against any assaults on Iranian nuclear sites, emphasizing that such actions could lead to severe radiological repercussions for the entire region.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
