In a significant development, Iran’s foreign minister declared on Sunday that the nation has ceased uranium enrichment activities at all of its facilities. This statement marks the first definitive acknowledgment from Tehran since the attacks on its nuclear sites earlier in June.

During a press interaction with an Associated Press journalist in Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the nation’s nuclear stance following the bombings executed by Israel and the United States. His remarks shed light on the current state of Iran’s nuclear program, clarifying the impact of recent events.

Araghchi emphasized, “There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency.” He further explained that the cessation of enrichment activities was a direct result of the attacks on their facilities, thereby halting operations.

In response to inquiries about the potential for future negotiations with the United States and other parties, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s steadfast position regarding its nuclear ambitions. He stated, “Iran’s right for enrichment, for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable.”

The foreign minister asserted, “We have this right and we continue to exercise that and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognize our rights and understand that this is an inalienable right of Iran and we would never give up our rights.” This underscores Iran’s determination to maintain its nuclear program within the framework of international recognition and cooperation.

Iran’s government issued a three-day visa for the AP reporter to attend a summit alongside other journalists from major British outlets and other media.

Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies, affiliated with the country’s Foreign Ministry, hosted the summit. Titled “International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense,” the conference included papers by Iranian political analysts offering Tehran’s view of the 12-day war in June, many seizing on comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praising Israel for having done the “dirty work” in launching its attack.

“Iran’s defensive response was remarkable, inspiring, historic and above all, pure,” wrote Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour, an international relations professor. “How can one possibly compare Israel’s dirty deeds to the noble and clean actions of the Iranian nation?”

Images of children killed by Israel during the war lined the walkway outside the summit, held inside the Martyr General Qassem Soleimani Building, named for the Revolutionary Guard expeditionary leader killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2020.

But Iran finds itself in a difficult moment after the war. Israel decimated the country’s air defense systems, potentially leaving the door open to further airstrikes as tensions remain high over Tehran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, economic pressures and societal change continues to challenge Iran’s Shiite theocracy, which so far has held off on making decisions on whether to enforce its mandatory hijab laws or raise the price of government-subsidized gasoline, both of which have sparked nationwide protests in the past.

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