Retaining Iran nuclear technology key to any deal, Araghchi says

Speaking in Cairo after meeting Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, Araghchi said: “If the United States seeks to deprive us of nuclear technology, there will definitely be no agreement.”

He emphasized that uranium enrichment is Iran’s right under international treaties.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency must remain a technical body and not be swayed by political pressure,” he added.

Last week, the IAEA said that Iran operated a covert nuclear program using undeclared material at three sites under investigation.

Araghchi’s comments come amid nuclear talks mediated by Oman.

Also on Monday, Reuters cited an unnamed Iranian diplomat as saying that Tehran is preparing to formally reject a recent US proposal, calling it “one-sided” and “a non-starter.”

The proposal, delivered on Saturday by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi fails to address Tehran’s core demands—including recognition of its right to enrich uranium and the immediate lifting of US sanctions, according to Reuters.

“In this proposal, there is no change to the US position on enrichment, and no clarity on sanction relief,” the diplomat said.

He added that Iran’s nuclear negotiation committee, which reports to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has assessed the proposal as incompatible with Iranian interests.

An Iranian official familiar with the matter was also cited by Iranian state-linked media as saying that Tehran does not view the latest US proposal in nuclear talks as a fair basis for agreement.

“The recent US proposal for a new nuclear deal with Iran is unacceptable,” the unnamed source was quoted as saying. “It cannot serve as a fair foundation for any potential compromise.”

Iran has consistently said that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, Western powers have accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capabilities—allegations Iran denies.

Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to 60% U-235. The IAEA has consistently maintained that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to this level, which is a short technical step from weapons-grade 90% fissile material.

Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had increased to 275 kg, enough to theoretically make about half a dozen weapons if Iran further enriches the uranium.

Two Iranian officials told Reuters last week that Iran might consider pausing enrichment if the US unfreezes Iranian assets and acknowledges Iran’s civilian enrichment rights as part of a broader political understanding.

Last month, Khamenei said there will be no concessions on enrichment. "Saying things like 'we won’t allow Iran to enrich uranium' is way out of line. No one is waiting for anyone’s permission," he said. "The Islamic Republic has its own policy, its own approach, and it will continue to pursue it."

Iran will not accept any proposal that undermines the rights of its people, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday in Cairo, following high-level talks with Egyptian officials.

“We do not accept any demand that contradicts the rights of the Iranian nation,” Araghchi told reporters.

The US, on Saturday, sent a proposal to Iran regarding a nuclear deal. The proposal, the first formal one from the US since negotiations began in April, was delivered by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi during a visit to Tehran.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on X that he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Cairo, just minutes after Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the meeting cannot be confirmed.

Spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters he had “not heard anything about it.”

Grossi described the engagement as “timely meeting in Cairo with Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,” saying he is “Grateful for Egypt’s constructive role in supporting peaceful, diplomatic solutions to regional challenges.”

Tens of thousands of US forces in the region are exposed to direct Iranian firepower, said an Iranian lawmaker Monday.

“Fifty thousand American forces are within direct range of the Islamic Republic, without any defense,” said Mojtaba Zarei, a member of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

“Some of their bases are only 200 kilometers away. If a missile is launched from Iran, the time difference compared to their response is incompatible. We can easily inflict heavy damage.”

“Once seen as threats, the US military presence in the region now represents a strategic opportunity” for Iran, he said.

Commenting on nuclear negotiations, Zarei noted, “As far as I know, the fifth round of talks has become more difficult, and the red lines of both sides are colliding.”

Iran is preparing to reject the new US proposal aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff, an Iranian diplomat told Reuters on Monday.

“In this proposal, the US stance on enrichment on Iranian soil remains unchanged, and there is no clear explanation regarding the lifting of sanctions,” the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Iran is drafting a negative response… which could be interpreted as a rejection.”

The proposal, delivered Saturday by Oman’s foreign minister during a visit to Tehran, followed five rounds of talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

The diplomat said the assessment of Iran’s nuclear negotiations committee—operating under the supervision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—is that the US offer cannot serve Tehran’s interests and represents an attempt to push Iran into accepting what was called a “bad deal” through excessive demands.

Iranian officials told Reuters last week that Tehran might consider suspending enrichment under a political understanding if Washington unfreezes Iranian assets and formally recognizes Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear program.