Iran considers nuclear weapons ‘unacceptable,’ Araghchi says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday called nuclear weapons “unacceptable,” as his country is engaged in delicate nuclear negotiations with the United States.

The two sides remain deadlocked over uranium enrichment: the U.S. demands that Iran fully abandon it, while Tehran categorically refuses, citing its right to develop civilian nuclear capabilities.

“If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we also consider this type of weapon unacceptable,” Araghchi said in a televised speech. “We agree with them on this matter,” he added, referring to the American position.

Western countries, led by the U.S. and Israel —Iran’s arch-enemy and considered by experts to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East — suspect Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran denies such military ambitions but insists on its right to civilian nuclear energy under the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), of which it is a signatory.

However, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapons state enriching uranium to a high level (60%), according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “They cannot have nuclear weapons,” U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated Friday, saying the two countries were “pretty close to a deal.” Araghchi tempered American optimism in a message posted Thursday on X, saying he was “not sure” about the “imminence” of an agreement.

U.S. inspectors?

Enemies for four decades, Tehran and Washington held a fifth round of talks on May 23 in Rome, mediated by Oman. Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi and his American counterpart Steve Witkoff parted without major progress but expressed readiness for further discussions. No new date has been set.

If an agreement with Washington is reached, Iran said Wednesday it might allow American IAEA inspectors on its soil. “If questions arise, an agreement is reached, and Iran’s demands are taken into account, then we will reconsider accepting American inspectors,” said Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI). This would be a first since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, according to Iran specialist Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, a U.S.-based think tank.

During his first term (2017-2021), Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reinstated harsh sanctions. In retaliation, Iran abandoned some of its commitments, notably accelerating uranium enrichment well beyond the 3.67 percent limit set by the deal. Trump, now seeking a new agreement, has threatened military action if diplomacy fails.

L'Iran considère l'arme nucléaire comme « inacceptable », affirme Araghchi