Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is entirely under international oversight, signaling Tehran’s willingness to resume negotiations with world powers over its nuclear activities.

Speaking to the Associated Press on Monday, Araghchi stated: “There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”IThe statement comes amid reports in the Washington Post and The New York Times claiming that Iran is constructing a new enrichment facility near Natanz, a site previously damaged by Israeli and U.S. airstrikes.

Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s enrichment facilities were attacked in June, leaving no ongoing enrichment at the time. “There is no enrichment right now because our facilities have been attacked,” he said, noting that Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes is “undeniable” and “inalienable.”

The comments were made during a summit entitled “International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense,” organized by the Institute for Political and International Studies, which is closely linked to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The June attacks, coordinated by Israel and the United States, targeted several Iranian nuclear sites over concerns that Tehran might be pursuing weapons-grade uranium. Iran has previously enriched uranium to 60%, approaching weapons-grade levels, far above the 3.67% limit required for civilian energy production.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told summit attendees that Iran remains under daily threats of attack and that its security situation has not improved. Satellite imagery analyzed by AP indicates that Iran has conducted no major work at its Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz sites since the strikes.

Iran’s nuclear program has been caught in legal and diplomatic limbo since the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. The 2015 agreement had offered sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities and full IAEA inspections. Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA after the U.S. withdrawal, while European signatories initially maintained engagement. However, in September, the European powers reinstated sanctions citing Iran’s non-compliance.

The IAEA Board of Governors is scheduled to meet this week and may vote on a new resolution targeting Iran for failing to cooperate fully with inspectors.

While Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s compliance with monitoring requirements, he criticized the U.S. approach to negotiations as “maximalist and excessive.” He stressed that Washington has not demonstrated readiness for “equal, fair negotiations to reach mutual interests.”

“What we have seen from the Americans so far has actually been an effort to dictate their demands,” Araghchi said. “We see no chance for dialogue in the face of such demands.”

The Iranian foreign minister’s remarks suggest Tehran is open to dialogue, provided discussions respect its sovereign rights to pursue peaceful nuclear technology while ensuring security guarantees and equitable negotiations with world powers. (ILKHA)