Iranian nuclear infrastructure suffered “serious damage” after US missile strikes last month, but the regime has vowed to restart uranium enrichment as soon as its facilities are rebuilt, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. Speaking to Fox News’ Special Report, Araghchi admitted that Tehran’s enrichment programme had been halted after three major sites were targeted on 22 June, under orders from US President Donald Trump. “Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged, the extent of which is now under evaluation,” Araghchi told host Bret Baier. “The facilities have been destroyed.”President Trump quickly reacted to the remarks, saying he was proven right in a post on Truth Social.“Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: “Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.”“Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!” he said.The US President further went on to demand an apology from CNN, accusing the network of downplaying the effectiveness of the strikes and calling for the sacking of one of its journalists.“As interviewed by Bret Baier. Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony “reporter” and apologize to me and the great pilots who “OBLITERATED” Iran’s nuclear sites. CNN is a major ratings loser, as is MSDNC!”The Iranian minister added that the country had not been able to refine nuclear fuel since the airstrikes, but stressed the country would not abandon its nuclear ambitions, which he insisted were for “peaceful purposes.” “It is now stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe, but obviously we cannot give up our enrichment,” he said. “It is an achievement of our own scientists.”“And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” the minister further added. Araghchi also highlighted Tehran’s firm stance ahead of any potential talks with Washington. He ruled out accepting any nuclear agreement that restricts domestic uranium enrichment, calling it a “matter of dignity for the Iranian people.” “If the goal is to make sure that Iran will never have nuclear weapons, that is achievable,” he said. “But if the goal is to deprive Iran from its rights, including the right of enrichment, I think we have, we have difficulty,” New York Post cited Araghchi. Despite the destruction of several key sites, Araghchi insisted Iran retained the technical knowledge and personnel needed to resume enrichment in the future. “Buildings can be rebuilt. Facilities can be rebuilt. Machines can be replaced,” he said. “The technology is there.” When asked whether Iran’s existing stockpile of enriched uranium had survived the strikes, he said he had “no detailed information.” Araghchi also rejected any suggestion that Tehran would scale back its ballistic missile programme or withdraw support for regional proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. “They are fighting for a just cause, and we have always supported them,” he said. “On our missiles, as I said, that is our most reliable means of defense.”“How we can disarm ourselves? Who can [Iran] accept anything like that?” The foreign minister did leave the door open to renewed diplomacy but ruled out direct talks with the Trump administration for the time being. “If they are coming for a win-win solution, I am ready to engage with them,” he said.
