Iran says enrichment off limits in talks

Iran’s foreign ministry said uranium enrichment must be preserved as a core part of its nuclear program and warned against any expectation of compromise.

“Enrichment is an inseparable part of Iran’s nuclear industry and must be maintained. We are in no way permitted to show even the slightest flexibility on this issue,” spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday.

He added that if the US aim is simply to ensure Iran’s program remains non-military, that has already been achieved. “But if the goal is to deprive Iran of its rights, we do not believe this process will reach any outcome,” he said.