Tehran: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has emphatically stated that the nation will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, despite recent Israeli-U.S. strikes targeting its nuclear facilities. This announcement comes amid rising tensions and ongoing international scrutiny.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Araqchi, during an interview with Fox News aired on Monday, dismissed attempts by the U.S. to halt Iran’s enrichment capabilities. He emphasized that uranium enrichment has evolved into a symbol of national pride, underscoring its significance as an achievement by Iranian scientists. “We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” Araqchi remarked. “Our enrichment is so dear to us.”

Araqchi also highlighted the severity of the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear facilities by the U.S. strikes last month, noting that the extent of the damage is currently being assessed by Iran’s atomic energy organization. The strikes were part of a broader conflict initiated by Israel with U.S. backing on June 13, which resulted in the assassination of several high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, along with over 1,000 civilian casualties.

In retaliation, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted key locations in the occupied territories of Israel and attacked the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, a major U.S. military installation in West Asia, effectively halting the aggressive assault.

Araqchi further asserted that Iran would not be deprived of its legitimate enrichment rights, stating, “We remain committed to below 5% [enrichment] to produce fuel for nuclear power plants, and we also enriched up to 20% because we have a research reactor in Tehran, which is called the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).” He also mentioned that Iran had previously enriched uranium up to 60% following sabotage incidents at their nuclear facilities.