Iran denies Trump's claim on renewed nuclear talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (Getty Images)
Iran has no intention of resuming nuclear negotiations with the United States despite a statement by US President Donald Trump. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the possibility, according to Bloomberg.
"I say explicitly that no agreement, arrangement or discussion has taken place regarding the initiation of new negotiations. Some of the speculation about the resumption of negotiations should not be taken seriously," Araghchi said during a broadcast on Iranian state television.
Araghchi also declared that United Nations inspectors would not be allowed access to Iranian nuclear facilities to assess the damage. Similarly, Iran has no plans to host a visit from Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The report recalls that Tehran blocked the work of the IAEA in the country following the escalation between Israel and Iran. Agency inspectors are currently unable to determine the whereabouts of stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, which could be used to produce nuclear weapons.
In addition, Iran has passed a law allowing it to end cooperation with the IAEA. However, to fully implement this measure, Iran would need to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) — a step Tehran does not yet appear ready to take.
US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
On the night of June 22, the United States launched strikes on Iran's nuclear program sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The attack reportedly involved heavy bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles. According to the US Department of Defense, the strikes completely destroyed Iran's nuclear program.
After American media reported that the three targeted facilities had not been fully destroyed, US Defense Secretary and former TV host Pete Hegseth criticized those spreading such claims. President Trump also stated that Iranian authorities had not managed to remove uranium enrichment centrifuges or other equipment from the Fordow site in time.
Araghchi indirectly confirmed this, referring to "extensive and serious damage." According to him, the destruction was the direct result of the US strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
