Why does Mohammad Eslami say Iran will continue uranium enrichment?

Mohammad Eslami described enrichment as an inseparable and integral part of Iran’s nuclear process, arguing that a nuclear industry cannot exist without its starting point. He also called nuclear development a driving force for science and technology.

What is the United States demanding from Iran in the nuclear negotiations?

The United States said Iran must make meaningful reductions in its enrichment capacity and has sought the removal or surrender of highly enriched uranium. Iran rejects abandoning enrichment, although Iranian authorities have said Tehran could dilute its most highly enriched uranium.

Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium, nuclear chief says

Q: What conditions did Iran propose for reopening the Strait of Hormuz?

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran could respond within days to a U.S. reply to its proposal, under which the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days if necessary conditions were met. The proposals were linked to efforts to end the war and resume nuclear discussions.

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Summary

Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or surrender its enriched uranium, Mohammad Eslami said in Tehran on Thursday. The Atomic Energy Organization chief dismissed renewed U.S. threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities as nothing new. His comments came as Iran and the United States exchanged proposals to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran could respond within days to a U.S. reply.

Key Facts

Iran has enriched uranium to 60 percent, a level higher than civilian needs and below the roughly 90 percent generally associated with weapons-grade material.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days if necessary conditions were met.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was having productive discussions with Iran and would not attack before the November midterm congressional elections.
Iranian authorities have said Tehran could agree to dilute its most highly enriched uranium.

By Reuters

Published Oct 9, 2026 2:13 am KST

Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami speaks at a news briefing in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 16, 2025. AP-Yonhap

DUBAI — Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium, state media reported on Thursday, citing the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami, after the U.S. said Iran must make "meaningful" reductions in its enrichment capacity.

Dismissing renewed U.S. threats against Iran's nuclear facilities as "nothing new", Eslami said enrichment was "an inseparable part" of the nuclear process.

Eslami's comments come as Iran and the United States exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday that Iran could reply within days to a U.S. response to Iran's proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days if necessary conditions were met.

"Enrichment is an integral part of the nuclear process, and we will not abandon it in any way. How can you claim to have a nuclear industry if you don't have the starting point of the process? The nuclear industry is the driving force of science and technology," Eslami added.

U.S. President Donald Trump said later on Thursday that the United States is having productive discussions with Iran and will not launch any attack before the U.S. midterm congressional elections in November.

Israel, the U.S. and other Western states have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, including pointing to its move to enrich uranium to 60 percent, far higher than needed for civilian uses and closer to the 90 percent needed for a weapon.

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Iranian authorities have said that Tehran could agree to dilute its most highly enriched uranium.

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