Sat May 03 14:54:42 UTC 2025: ## Iran Defends Uranium Enrichment Amid Delayed Nuclear Talks

**Tehran, May 3, 2025** – Iran has reiterated its right to enrich uranium, rejecting Western concerns about its nuclear program and the postponement of talks with the United States. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, citing Iran’s membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), stated on X that Iran is entitled to a full nuclear fuel cycle. He pointed out that several NPT members enrich uranium without possessing nuclear weapons.

The fourth round of US-Iran nuclear talks, initially scheduled for Saturday, has been delayed due to logistical reasons. These talks represent the highest-level contact between the two countries since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.

The US, along with other Western powers, remains concerned about Iran’s uranium enrichment, which currently reaches 60% purity – far exceeding the 3.67% limit set in the 2015 deal but below weapons-grade levels. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Iran to halt enrichment, arguing that only nuclear-armed states engage in this practice. He also called for inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities and an end to Iranian support for the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

France has voiced concerns that Iran is nearing the acquisition of nuclear weapons, threatening the reimposition of UN sanctions. Iran dismissed these claims as “absurd.” While IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stated that the enriched material could be easily removed from Iran, Iranian officials have characterized its transfer as a “red line.”

Iran insists that the talks focus solely on nuclear issues and sanctions relief, refusing to negotiate its regional influence or military capabilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded a deal eliminating Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity and ballistic missile development, a demand rejected by Mr. Araghchi as an attempt to dictate US policy. The ongoing impasse highlights the significant challenges in reaching a new nuclear agreement.

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