Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, turned down any concessions regarding his nation’s nuclear program this week, pledging not to succumb to demands to abandon uranium enrichment.
This matter has been a core element in conflicts with Western nations, particularly the United States, which accuses Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons—an allegation Khamenei once again refuted.
Iran’s atomic industry provides jobs for over 17,000 individuals, as stated by Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. He notes that nuclear power supports electricity generation, as well as applications in medicine, farming, and cutting-edge technology.
Khamenei mentioned that enriched substances aid areas such as Iran’s overburdened electrical network amid unusual summer heat spells. Civilian atomic reactors utilize uranium enriched to 3-5 percent, whereas Tehran’s research unit requires up to 20 percent, according to Iranian reports.
Iran insists the enrichment program has no military ambitions, though 60 percent is just short of the 90 percent weapons threshold.
The UN’s atomic monitor, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), indicates Iran is the sole non-weapons state enriching uranium to these extents.
Tehran claims it has endured significant costs for its enrichment operations, including killings of researchers and damage to sites in assaults largely attributed to Israel.
In June, Israel struck Iran, and the United States subsequently participated in attacks on nuclear facilities.
Non-Negotiable?
Washington now demands that Tehran renounce enrichment — a U.S. red line.
The 2015 accord capped Iran’s enrichment at 3.67 percent in exchange for sanctions relief over a 10-year period ending in October.
Khamenei said Iran had “carried out all the obligations we were supposed to do” but “none of the promises they made were fulfilled”.
He argues that giving up enrichment would put the Islamic Republic in an even weaker position than under the 2015 deal, which already faced opposition from hardliners.
Tehran also considers civilian nuclear energy — including uranium enrichment — a right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), of which it is a member.
Iran’s nuclear programme dates back to the 1950s under the US-backed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who signed a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with Washington in 1957.
Tehran ratified the NPT in 1970, placing nuclear material under IAEA oversight.
In 1974, the Shah launched an ambitious plan to construct at least 20 power plants to meet the country’s rising domestic energy needs and offset its finite oil reserves.
Construction began in Bushehr with the German firm Siemens, but was halted after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War from 1980 to 1988.
Why Suspicion?
In 2002, satellite images aired by US broadcasters revealed two undeclared sites near Arak and Natanz.
The following year, the United Nations found traces of enriched uranium at Natanz, one of Iran’s main facilities targeted by the United States when it joined Israel in attacking Iran this year.
Western powers, led by the United States and joined by Israel, accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a charge it denies, sparking a prolonged standoff.
Iran began enrichment to 3.5 percent in 2006, later raising it to 4.8 percent. The United Nations imposed its first sanctions that December. By 2009, the rate of enrichment had reached 20 percent. Tensions eased in 2015 with a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and major powers.
But with the United States’ withdrawal, renewed sanctions, and Iran’s move to enrich uranium to 60 percent, the dispute is back at the forefront of international attention, with potential sanctions looming.
Did Iran Smuggle Uranium Before US Attacks?
Before the US strikes on its nuclear sites in June 2025, Iran is believed to have relocated substantial amounts of enriched uranium to undisclosed locations.
Reports suggest Iran may have moved around 400-408 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent, an amount sufficient for potential weapons if further processed.
This material was reportedly transferred from key facilities, such as Fordow and near Isfahan, using methods including trucks, bulldozers, and security convoys in a hurried operation, as observed via satellite imagery.
Uranium is typically transported in specialized steel cylinders that resist pressure and temperature shifts, enclosed in protective overpacks, and moved by road, rail, or sea routes.
Intelligence from Israeli sources indicated last-minute transfers of equipment and uranium days before the attacks, while US officials have expressed uncertainty about the material’s final whereabouts, with some conflicting reports claiming no movement occurred from Fordow.
Iran’s Nuclear Diplomacy At A Difficult Juncture
The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, told AFP Monday that diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program were at a “difficult juncture” but dialogue would continue.
The UN Security Council voted on Friday to reimpose UN sanctions that had been frozen, after three European governments activated the “snapback” mechanism in a decade-old nuclear agreement, accusing Iran of non-compliance.
“It’s obviously quite a difficult juncture. It’s a very difficult situation we are facing right now,” the International Atomic Energy Agency chief said, adding that talks between the involved parties were planned in New York for Monday.
“What’s important is the communications are continuing. We are planning to see each other, if possible today, Monday, here in New York, and perhaps more meetings during the week.”
Later Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Grossi and stressed any progress on a deal depended on Western countries “halting of excessive demands and misuse of the Security Council to exert pressure on Iran.”
Friday’s vote means that the sanctions, which were suspended in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear activities set out in the 2015 deal, will take effect again on September 28 unless Iran can persuade the council to relent before then.
Tehran stated that the action by the European powers — Britain, France, and Germany — undermined months of engagement with the IAEA aimed at resuming monitoring and ensuring compliance with international rules.
Grossi praised the active diplomacy of French President Emmanuel Macron in attempting to salvage a deal, and stated that there were still open lines of communication between Tehran and Washington.
Avoid Prolonged Confrontation
“Emmanuel Macron is very present, has been historically, and I respect him enormously,” Grossi said.
“I think the Special Envoy, Ambassador (Steve) Witkoff, has also been involved and actively exploring different channels and presenting a number of ideas,” Grossi said.
Grossi said his dialogue with Witkoff had enabled him to understand Washington’s position and red lines.
“And the IAEA is not a party to the agreement — but it’s indispensable in every scenario. So we continue the work with Ambassador Witkoff,” Grossi said.
Earlier this month, Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement in Cairo that would have allowed inspections of Iranian nuclear sites to resume.
Paris, London, and Berlin have stressed their demands that the Islamic Republic grant IAEA inspectors full access to nuclear sites, including those damaged by Israeli and American attacks in June. They also call for a resumption of negotiations, particularly with the US side.
Tehran claims it is resisting political pressure and accuses the Europeans of not adopting a “balanced” proposal, the details of which have not been disclosed.
“We are not at a point where people are not talking to each other, and you have to convince them to come together,” Grossi said.
“So does that mean that I am optimistic? Well, neither optimistic nor pessimistic,” he said, adding that he remained hopeful that “we can still have an agreement.”
“If we don’t have it, I think we have to try to (right) the boat as soon as possible to avoid prolonged confrontation and perhaps more attacks.”
Grossi also stated that he would seek to succeed Antonio Guterres as Secretary-General of the UN upon his term’s expiration in December 2026.
With Inputs from Agence France-Presse
