TEHRAN – President Ebrahim Raisi warned Western governments Thursday that Iran will not back down “in any way” in defending its interests and accept no “excessive demands” a day after all sides announced the resumption of talks between Tehran and major powers on Nov 29.
“We will not walk away from the negotiating table, but we will also oppose any excessive demands that would end up harming the interests of the Iranian people,” Raisi said.
“We will not retreat in any way when it comes to interests of the Iranian people, but will continue our efforts to neutralize the oppressive sanctions and are taking action to have them removed. “
Raisi was speaking at a ceremony in Semnan province, east of the capital, marking the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by revolutionary students.
Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani said the talks would cover the removal of “unlawful and inhumane sanctions”.
President Joe Biden has said he is ready to rejoin the deal, but will only negotiate measures taken by the Trump administration over the nuclear program, such as a unilateral ban on oil sales and not other sanctions.
Tehran wants commitments that the United States will remain bound by the deal and remove all sanctions imposed, reimposed and relabeled under Trump.
Iran’s atomic agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said Friday that its stockpile of 20% enriched uranium has reached over 210 kilograms (463 pounds).
On Friday, Iran has increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to 25 kilograms (55 pounds).
“So far we have produced 25 kilograms of 60% uranium, which, except for countries with nuclear weapons, no other country is able to produce,” he said.
Kamalvandi said the Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions, a law passed last December by the Iranian parliament, has allowed the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to enhance its peaceful nuclear activities.
Kamalvandi said Iran is now among a few countries in the world that can enrich uranium to such a level of purity.
“The nuclear industry is a strong field. It is the source of authority and pride of the country. Arrogant countries have now acknowledged that they can no longer deprive the Islamic Republic of Iran of the industry,” he said.
“The industry dominates all other industries and can propel them. Its quality and standards are much higher than other industries. Once you master the industry, you are in fact paving the way for other industries to advance.”
Kamalvandi said the enemies knew the industry was of high importance for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s peaceful progress, but they were trying to deprive it of the technology while politicizing the nuclear issue.
“They have politicized the nuclear issue and accused us of seeking nuclear weapons, while they themselves possess nuclear weapons and have used them,” he said.