Mohammad Fathali has reaffirmed that Iran will not surrender what it considers its legal and legitimate right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy, stressing that the country's uranium enrichment activities remain protected under international law and are not currently part of the ongoing negotiations with the United States. His remarks come amid continued diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions between Tehran and Washington while addressing broader regional security concerns.
Speaking to ANI, Fathali stated that Iran’s position on uranium enrichment has remained consistent and unambiguous. According to him, the Islamic Republic views the peaceful use of nuclear technology as a sovereign right guaranteed under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). He emphasised that Iran has repeatedly declared that it will not abandon this right regardless of external pressure or political demands.
The ambassador explained that, from Tehran’s perspective, the nuclear issue is not currently included in the agenda of the ongoing diplomatic discussions. He indicated that detailed negotiations concerning uranium enrichment and other nuclear-related matters would only take place at a later stage and within a specific framework agreed upon by the parties involved. This position suggests that Iran is prioritising other elements of the broader negotiations before engaging in substantive discussions about its nuclear programme.
According to recent reports, Iran’s latest proposal to Washington reportedly includes several significant conditions. Among them are the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while allowing operational control to remain with Tehran, the withdrawal of American military forces from the Persian Gulf, and the postponement of detailed nuclear discussions until later phases of the negotiating process. These proposals indicate that Iran seeks to address security and geopolitical issues alongside any eventual nuclear settlement.
The nuclear programme remains one of the most contentious issues between the two countries. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that any agreement must ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. In recent remarks, Trump stated that Iran must commit to never possessing a nuclear bomb and has also demanded the transfer of approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to nearly 60 percent purity currently held by Tehran.
Fathali also strongly rejected assertions that Iran has been strategically weakened by sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or regional developments. Referring to what he described as a 40-day conflict, the ambassador argued that Iran demonstrated the resilience of its armed forces, national institutions, and population despite facing significant external pressure. According to him, the events showed that Iran continues to possess substantial defensive, strategic, and popular capabilities capable of protecting its security interests and national sovereignty.
At the same time, the ambassador acknowledged that international sanctions have negatively affected Iran’s economy. He noted that Iranian authorities have never denied the economic challenges created by sanctions and external restrictions. However, he argued that despite these difficulties, Iran has maintained its ability to function, defend itself, and pursue its strategic objectives.
Addressing the broader regional situation, Fathali expressed concern that policies based primarily on pressure, threats, and military action have contributed to instability across the Middle East. He argued that such approaches have failed to produce lasting security and instead increased the likelihood of wider conflicts. According to the ambassador, Iran believes diplomacy remains the most effective path toward reducing tensions and preventing a broader regional confrontation.
Although negotiations between Tehran and Washington have yet to produce a major breakthrough and military tensions have periodically resurfaced, Fathali indicated that Iran still sees value in diplomatic engagement. Nevertheless, he stressed that Iran approaches negotiations cautiously due to what he described as past experiences involving broken promises and failed ceasefire arrangements. This history, he suggested, has made Tehran wary of accepting agreements without strong guarantees and practical assurances.
The ambassador further argued that any durable framework for peace and stability in the Middle East must be based on the realities of the region and the interests of its people rather than external pressure or short-term political considerations. In his view, agreements lacking genuine political and geopolitical foundations are unlikely to endure and may ultimately fail to achieve lasting stability.
Discussing India’s role in international affairs, Fathali praised New Delhi as an important global actor capable of contributing to peace and stability. He noted that India’s position as a major economy and a key member of BRICS gives it significant influence in promoting multilateral cooperation, dialogue, and conflict reduction.
He also highlighted the importance of stability in the Persian Gulf for both regional countries and international partners such as India. According to the ambassador, secure maritime routes, reduced geopolitical tensions, and stronger regional cooperation would generate economic benefits for all parties involved. He added that Iran and India possess complementary strengths that could create substantial opportunities for expanded trade, investment, energy cooperation, and broader strategic engagement in the future.
Overall, Fathali’s remarks underscore Iran’s continued insistence on preserving its nuclear rights under international law while signalling that Tehran intends to separate immediate diplomatic discussions from more contentious nuclear negotiations. At the same time, his comments reflect Iran’s broader effort to portray itself as open to diplomacy while maintaining firm positions on national sovereignty, regional security, and strategic independence.
