Iran Vows to Defend Peaceful Nuclear Program

Iran is fully prepared to defend its peaceful nuclear rights, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated during an interview with the Turkish A Haber TV channel on Friday.

He emphasized that Iran has devoted a significant portion of its resources and energy to this peaceful program and cannot be deprived of it, The Caspian Post reports, citing Iranian media.

Regarding Iran’s meeting with the E3 (Germany, France, and the UK) that recently took place in Istanbul, he said that the talks were cordial and friendly.

Khatibzadeh said that as everyone knows, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal, has been under pressure for years following the US withdrawal and added that Iran showed strategic patience for a year, waiting for the promised compensation from the Europeans in exchange for remaining in the deal.

Unfortunately, the Europeans failed to take meaningful action, he said, adding that they lacked the will to offset the US’s unilateral and illegal withdrawal.

Iran then decided to reduce its commitments under the JCPOA to restore balance, he said, expressing hope that would Europeans understand that if the goal of the ongoing talks is a meaningful mutual understanding, “anything is possible.”

Addressing Ankara's role, he said that the very fact that Iran chose Türkiye's for this round of talks shows Tehran’s trust in this country. He noted that Iran sees Türkiye as a friendly country and government that can organize and host these important negotiations.