Iran says it will never give up right to enrich uranium

TEHRAN, Oct 7 : Iran will never give up what it considers its right to enrich uranium, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday, rejecting U.S. demands for a significant reduction in Tehran’s nuclear enrichment capacity as part of any agreement to end the war.

The official said there have been no negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program, describing proposals recently outlined by U.S. Vice President JD Vance as Washington’s “ideas and requests.” The official said U.S. recognition of Iran’s right to enrichment remains a red line for Tehran, although the details and scale of enrichment could be discussed at a later stage.

The official also said Washington must first meet Iran’s conditions before the nuclear issue can be discussed and that current U.S. proposals are inconsistent with Tehran’s demands. Vance told Reuters this week that any agreement would require Iran to make a “meaningful” reduction in its enrichment capacity, questioning why Tehran would need uranium enriched to 60% if it does not intend to develop a nuclear weapon. He said Washington wanted concrete action rather than assurances from Iran.

The latest exchange highlights a major obstacle to efforts to reach an agreement between the two countries, with Iran insisting on its enrichment rights while Washington is demanding concrete limits on the program. Reuters reported that the two sides have exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.