TEHRAN -- Iran’s nuclear chief on Thursday flatly rejected fresh U.S. demands to curb uranium enrichment as a precondition for ending the seven-month war, declaring that Tehran will neither halt enrichment nor hand over its stockpile and dismissing Washington’s proposals as “a mere bunch of lies aimed at deception.”
Muhammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), pushed back directly against U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who told Reuters that Iran must make a “meaningful” reduction in enrichment capacity, framing it as a “basic threshold issue.” 
Vance said: “If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? ... We’re not going to trade words for actions.”
“Uranium enrichment is an indispensable part of the nuclear process,” Eslami said. “Can one not have the starting point of the nuclear process and then claim to possess a nuclear industry? The nuclear industry is the driving force behind science and technology.”
He noted that the United States itself prioritizes nuclear technology in its national development, security, and defense documents. 
“Therefore, such claims are a mere bunch of lies aimed at deception. What is definitive is the progress of a nation. The right to progress and to explore the frontiers of science is reserved for Iranians. We will not back down from this right.”
Asked directly whether Iran would hand over its enriched uranium, Eslami said: “No. There is no such thing.”
A senior Iranian official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, reinforced the position, stating that no negotiations on the nuclear file are currently underway and that U.S. recognition of Iran’s enrichment right is a “definite red line,” though technical details could be discussed later.
Eslami also addressed international inspections, stating that IAEA monitoring of nuclear facilities damaged in U.S. and Israeli attacks cannot proceed due to lingering security threats to sites, personnel, and researchers. 
He criticized the agency for failing to acknowledge inspections at undamaged facilities, accusing it of succumbing to U.S. and Israeli pressure.
Speaking at the inauguration of Iran’s first university-level pediatric cancer diagnosis and treatment center at Hakim Children’s Hospital, Eslami highlighted Iran’s nuclear medicine achievements, saying the country’s radiopharmaceutical basket has reached 78 products and that Iran is among the first to introduce alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals into treatment.
Tehran maintains its nuclear program is strictly peaceful, fully compliant with the NPT and IAEA safeguards, and non-negotiable. 
Iran and the U.S. have exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the war, but diplomatic efforts remain stalled. President Donald Trump recently rejected Tehran’s latest offer and has threatened to intensify military terrorism after the U.S. midterm elections.