RismadarVoice Reporters
February 8, 2026
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi on Sunday ruled out Tehran abandoning uranium enrichment in negotiations with the United States, insisting that Iran would not be intimidated by the threat of war.
Speaking at a forum in Tehran, Araghchi said Iran had little trust in Washington and questioned the seriousness of the renewed talks between the two countries.
“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 was referring to the arrival of the US aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, in the Arabian Sea.
The United States and Iran resumed negotiations on Friday in Oman, marking their first talks in years. Iran is seeking the lifting of US economic sanctions in exchange for what Araghchi described as “a series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear programme.”
Western countries and Israel widely believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear-armed state have accused Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear bomb, a claim Tehran has repeatedly refuted.
“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,” Araghchi said.
‘Peace Through Strength’
Araghchi’s remarks followed a visit by US lead negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday, underscoring the continued possibility of US military action.
The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the visit, while Witkoff said in a social media post that the aircraft carrier and its strike group were “keeping us safe and upholding President Trump’s message of peace through strength.”
Despite the military posturing, US President, Donald Trump described the talks as “very good,” while Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said they “constitute a step forward.”
However, following the first round of talks in Oman, Trump signed an executive order calling for the imposition of tariffs on countries still doing business with Iran in defiance of US sanctions. Washington also announced fresh sanctions targeting shipping companies and vessels linked to Iran’s oil exports.
At the Tehran forum, Araghchi questioned Washington’s commitment to genuine negotiations.
“The continuation of certain sanctions and military actions raises doubts about the seriousness and readiness of the other side,” he said, adding that Iran was closely monitoring developments before deciding whether to continue the talks.
Protest Death Toll
The negotiations come amid a significant US military buildup in the region following Iran’s crackdown on protests that erupted in late December over economic grievances.
Iranian authorities acknowledged on Sunday that 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, releasing a list of 2,986 names.
Officials said most of those killed were members of the security forces and civilians.
