Iran’s Defiant Vow: ‘Nuclear Pride’ Fuels Fight Despite Crippled Program
Iran’s Foreign Minister reaffirmed the country’s commitment to uranium enrichment as a matter of national pride, despite severe damage to its nuclear facilities from U.S. and Israeli strikes. Facing an impending sanctions deadline and stalled IAEA cooperation, Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to stoke regional and global tensions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Iran’s unwavering commitment to its uranium enrichment program in a Fox News interview with Bret Baier, set to air Monday night. Despite U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in June 2025 that crippled Iran’s nuclear infrastructure during the Twelve-Day War, Araghchi emphasized the program’s symbolic importance, stating, “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. Our enrichment is so dear to us.” He admitted significant damage, saying, “Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged,” but declined to confirm whether any enriched uranium stockpiles survived. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization is still assessing the losses, with enrichment operations currently suspended.
The remarks come ahead of Iran’s planned nuclear talks with Britain, France, and Germany in Istanbul on July 25, 2025, as Tehran faces an August 31 deadline to comply with international demands or risk further sanctions and arms embargoes. The U.S., absent from the upcoming negotiations, ended indirect talks via Oman after its joint strikes with Israel, which destroyed facilities like Natanz and killed over 1,000, including 27 nuclear scientists. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned of “dramatic sanctions” if Iran fails to clarify its nuclear intentions or allow IAEA inspectors, barred since June 2025, to return. Iran claims a recent IAEA resolution accusing it of violating non-proliferation commitments justified Israel’s attacks, which included 180 F-35 sorties and targeted 60% of Iran’s centrifuge capacity, per Israeli Defense Ministry estimates.
Social media posts on X reflect global unease, with one user stating, “Iran’s defiance on nukes is a dangerous game, sanctions won’t stop them.” Iran’s insistence on enrichment, coupled with Chinese and Pakistani support for its missile program, heightens fears of a nuclear-armed Iran, especially after it reached 90% enrichment in 2024, enough for three warheads, according to IAEA reports.