‘No One Has The Right To Dictate Our Behaviour’: Iran Defies US, Maintains Enrichment

Iran has reiterated its determination to continue uranium enrichment despite an expanding US military footprint in the region, signalling that strategic pressure will not alter Tehran's nuclear stance. The remarks come as Washington and Tehran cautiously return to negotiations while tensions remain elevated.

Tehran Signals Firm Nuclear Position

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made it clear that enrichment remains non-negotiable, stressing that the country will not bow to external demands even under the threat of conflict.

"Why do we insist so much on enrichment and refuse to give it up, even if a war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to dictate our behaviour," he said. "Their military deployment in the region does not scare us," he added, referring to the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.

Addressing a forum in Tehran, Araghchi expressed scepticism about Washington's intentions, noting that Iran has limited trust in the US. He also confirmed that Tehran is in discussions with its "strategic partners" China and Russia as negotiations progress.

Diplomatic Efforts Restart Amid Suspicion

The US and Iran resumed talks in Oman on Friday, marking their first engagement since Israel's brief 12-day conflict with Iran last June. Tehran is pushing for relief from US economic sanctions in exchange for what Araghchi described as "a series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear programme."

Western countries and Israel continue to suspect Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran firmly rejects. Reinforcing this position, Araghchi said, "They fear our atomic bomb, while we are not looking for one. Our atomic bomb is the power to say 'no' to the great powers."

US President Trump described the negotiations as "very good," while Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian called them "a step forward," hinting at cautious optimism on both sides.

Military Moves and Fresh Sanctions Add Strain

Even as diplomacy resumes, Washington has increased pressure by imposing new sanctions targeting shipping entities and vessels allegedly connected to Iranian oil exports. Meanwhile, US negotiators including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner toured the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday, with the military stating the deployment is meant to uphold "President Trump's message of peace through strength."

Israel has also voiced alarm over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warning that Iran's programme is "a clear danger to peace."

Uncertainty Clouds Future Negotiations

Araghchi cautioned that continued sanctions and military actions could undermine diplomatic progress. "We are monitoring the situation closely, assessing all the signals and will decide on the continuation of the negotiations," he said.

The geopolitical friction unfolds alongside domestic unrest in Iran, where authorities report that a crackdown on protests that erupted last December has resulted in more than 3,100 deaths. Independent organisations, however, believe the actual toll could be significantly higher.