Foreign minister says Iran is determined to continue its peaceful nuclear program

TEHRAN (Iran News) Araghchi made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, conducted in Tehran on Saturday.

He said Iran’s nuclear sites were “bombarded, destroyed and heavily damaged” during airstrikes by the US and Israel, calling the attacks a clear and major violation of international law — “perhaps the biggest violation of international law” — because the facilities were safeguarded and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The foreign minister, however, stressed that Iran, as a member of the International Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), is determined to continue its peaceful nuclear energy program, arguing that the facilities — not Iran’s nuclear technology — were destroyed in the attacks.

“We are a committed member of NPT and we have every right to enjoy the peaceful use of nuclear technology like Japan. Japan is also a committed member of NPT and it is enjoying its right to peaceful use of nuclear technology,” said Araghchi.

The diplomat also raised concerns about the safety of the bombed Iranian nuclear sites, noting that Iran wants Japan to share its experience with past atomic disasters and help secure the facilities.

“There is the risk of, you know, radiation and unexploded munitions in the facilities. As you know, the threats are still going on… I have no doubt that you have good knowledge on how to improve the safety of nuclear facilities,” he said.

On the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the US, the foreign minister said that it depends on the approach Washington takes.

“It depends on the US. If they change their approach and are prepared for a fair and balanced outcome of a mutually beneficial negotiation, we are prepared too. It’s a fact that we don’t have any good experience negotiating with the US,” Araghchi said, citing Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, which had been negotiated between Iran and world powers.

Iran was in the middle of talks with the US to reach a nuclear agreement when Israel launched its war in June this year. Iran says the United States is responsible for the conflict and betrayed diplomacy by allowing it to happen. Iran also rejects the US condition of zero uranium enrichment and says Washington must recognize Tehran’s right to peacefully use nuclear technology.