Iran’s foreign minister has acknowledged that the country’s nuclear facilities suffered “excessive and serious” damage during recent bombings by the United States and Israel.
Speaking on national television, Abbas Araghchi said that Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation is currently assessing the full extent of the damage.
His statement came shortly after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, publicly downplayed the attacks, insisting that they had not disrupted Iran’s nuclear programme. He dismissed claims by the US President that three major nuclear sites had been “totally obliterated,” calling such remarks exaggerated and declaring a symbolic victory over both the US and Israel.
However, the foreign minister’s comments painted a more alarming picture. He also made it clear that Iran has no intention of restarting nuclear negotiations with the United States. A scheduled round of talks was cancelled following Israel’s initial strikes.
“There has been no agreement, arrangement, or even discussion about launching new negotiations,” Araghchi said. He emphasized that any future decisions would be made based on what best serves the Iranian people, although he did not elaborate on what changes in diplomatic approach might be expected.
In a separate development, Iran’s parliament passed a bill to end cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, a move that could restrict access for nuclear inspectors and raise further international concern.
Efforts by the US to lure Iran back to the negotiating table reportedly included proposals to help fund a civilian nuclear programme and ease sanctions. But with tensions still high, such measures may not be enough.
Meanwhile, the US military targeted nuclear facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, aiming to weaken Iran’s nuclear capabilities. While some American officials claimed the strikes set the programme back by years, a leaked Pentagon report suggested the damage may only have caused a short delay.
Iran’s health ministry reported over 600 deaths from the 12 days of Israeli airstrikes, while Israel confirmed the loss of 28 lives.
In Tehran, life is slowly returning to the streets, but the psychological toll on the population remains heavy.