Iran announced that it would not give up its right to enrich uranium

“The US asks Iran not to build an atomic bomb. This is nothing new and we can also declare in writing that Iran has no intention of building a bomb. However, we do not give up the right to enrich uranium and the other side will have no other choice but to accept this right,” said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian today.

The statement was made when Iranian and US negotiators were scheduled to meet in Switzerland late on June 21 for negotiations. US Vice President JD Vance, who also attended the dialogue, said his top priority is to establish a negotiating structure and achieve progress on the nuclear issue as well as a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The event in Switzerland is expected to open a 60-day negotiation period to discuss outstanding issues in the original agreement, especially Iran’s nuclear program. According to a US official, the final document will result in an end to Iran’s nuclear program, with its highly enriched uranium stockpile destroyed and eliminated. However, senior Iranian officials said that Tehran would be allowed to dilute highly enriched uranium domestically.

Iran warned on June 21 that it will not participate in negotiations on a final agreement with the US if the war in Lebanon has not ended.

“If the provisions are not implemented, especially article 1 (cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon), entering the negotiation phase for a final agreement is impossible,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on social network X.

On June 20, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz because Israel continued to attack southern Lebanon, violating the agreement between the US and Iran. Since the evening of June 20, there have been no new air strikes targeting Lebanon. According to Mr. Baqaei, since that time, “a fragile ceasefire has been established.”

“Israel continues to violate its commitments in Lebanon and this will be the main topic in today’s negotiations,” Mr. Baqaei said, adding that intermediaries Pakistan and Qatar will also participate in the dialogue. “The meeting will take place in the form of a private meeting with the intermediary in the morning, followed by a four-party meeting in the afternoon, meaning the delegations of the four countries will be present in the same room.”

According to him, Iran will continue to promote the issue of releasing frozen assets. “The issue of allowing Iran to access frozen or restricted assets, as well as content related to granting necessary licenses for Iran’s oil exports, will also be on the agenda,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized.

Tehran has never announced the value of its frozen assets, but according to media estimates, this number exceeds $100 billion, most of which has been frozen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew the US-backed monarchy in Iran.