Iran Threatens to End Nuclear Talks with Europe Over British Call for ‘Zero Enrichment’
by Worthy News Staff
(Worthy News) – Iran’s foreign minister issued a sharp warning Wednesday that Tehran may suspend all nuclear negotiations with European nations following comments by Britain’s ambassador to the United States calling for the complete dismantlement of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
Speaking at the Atlantic Council on Tuesday, British Ambassador Peter Mandelson said the U.K. stands firmly with Washington in opposing any Iranian enrichment capabilities. “Iran is vulnerable. But it still retains enrichment facilities that can produce a nuclear bomb. And we can’t accept that,” Mandelson said. “So Britain strongly supports [President Trump’s] initiative in negotiating away these enrichment and related facilities in Iran.”
The remarks provoked an angry response from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who took to social media to denounce the British stance as unacceptable and warned that Tehran would walk away from ongoing negotiations with France, Germany, and the U.K.
“If the U.K. position is ‘zero enrichment’ in Iran, there is nothing left for us to discuss on the nuclear issue,” Araghchi declared. He further emphasized that insisting on a total dismantling of Iran’s enrichment infrastructure would violate the U.K.’s obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the U.S. unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
Iran has repeatedly defended its right to enrich uranium for civilian energy purposes under the JCPOA, even as it expanded its enrichment activities in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal. Araghchi reiterated this position on Wednesday, telling reporters, “We are not joking with anyone on the issue of enrichment.”
The European-led negotiations, revived last month, are aimed at securing limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting Western economic sanctions. While no formal timeline has been set for the next round of talks, some signs of progress have emerged. Iranian officials reportedly offered to reduce enrichment levels and allow broader international inspections.
However, U.S. officials have continued to advocate for a complete end to Iran’s enrichment efforts. One proposal involves transferring enriched uranium to a third-party country–a move Iran has firmly rejected.
With tensions flaring, the future of the European nuclear talks remains uncertain. Iran’s warning underscores the fragility of the diplomatic process and the widening rift between Tehran and Western capitals over the core issue of enrichment rights.
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