Iran: No Uranium Enrichment Currently Taking Place in Any Facility

WISE NEWS PRESS / TEHRAN, IRAN — NOVEMBER 17, 2025

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced Sunday that Tehran is no longer enriching uranium at any facility within the country, clarifying the status of its nuclear program following US and Israeli attacks in June.

Araqchi’s statement, made in response to an Associated Press query in Iran, provides the clearest update yet on the program’s operational status since the bombings of its enrichment facilities. Although he simultaneously stressed that Iran maintains its “undeniable” right to peaceful nuclear technology, the admission underscores the operational impact of the recent conflict.

Facilities Under IAEA Oversight

Araqchi explicitly stated that Iran has no secret nuclear enrichment activities, noting that all facilities remain under the "inspection and supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

"There is currently no enrichment because our facilities were attacked," Araqchi added.

The IAEA recently reported that it has been unable to carry out "long-awaited" inspections at major Iranian sites since the attacks by Israel and the US in June. When asked what was required for his country to resume negotiations with the US and others, Araqchi responded that Tehran’s message regarding its nuclear program was "clear."

The Right to Peaceful Technology

Speaking at a summit organized by the Foreign Ministry’s Institute for Political and International Studies, Araqchi reaffirmed Iran's non-negotiable position on its nuclear ambitions:

"Iran’s right to develop peaceful nuclear technology is undeniable. We have this right and we will continue to use it. We hope the international community, especially the US, recognizes this right and understands that it is an inalienable right of Iran. We will never give up this right."

The conference, themed "International Law Under Attack: Aggression and Self-Defense," focused on Tehran’s perspective regarding the 12-day war in June. Several papers presented reportedly referenced remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who suggested Israel was doing the "dirty work" by initiating the attack.

The summit was held in a building named after Quds Force commander General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a 2020 US drone strike. Photos of children killed by Israel during the war were displayed outside the building.

Internal and External Challenges

Despite the defiant rhetoric, Iran faces significant challenges following the conflict. The substantial destruction of the country's air defense systems by Israel potentially opens the door to further air strikes amidst ongoing nuclear tensions.

Simultaneously, economic pressures and internal social demands continue to strain Iran’s ruling elite. The government is reportedly still postponing decisions on sensitive issues, such as enforcing mandatory hijab laws or increasing the price of state-subsidized gasoline, both of which have previously triggered nationwide protests.

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