Tehran Settles the Enrichment Equation: No More Negotiations from Today Onward
In a decisive political stance reflecting the resilience of the Islamic Republic and a transformation in the rules of engagement with the West, Iran announced—via First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref—that it will henceforth refuse any negotiations concerning uranium enrichment on its soil, thereby putting a definitive end to the era of nuclear blackmail that the West has long used as a tool of pressure and coercion.
Aref’s declaration, delivered during an inspection tour of emergency centers and public-service institutions involved in responding to the aftermath of the recent U.S.–Israeli aggression, was far more than a mere protocol statement: it was a strategic announcement that Iran has entered a new phase of challenge and steadfastness, affirming that the time for concessions is over and that neither siege nor military threat can break the popular and institutional will.
He emphasized that the so-called “zero enrichment” demand—once the West’s primary requirement—has been consigned to the past, adding, “We will no longer allow enrichment to be a subject of bargaining from today onward.” This pronouncement came in the wake of Iran’s measured response that struck at American bases in the region, compelling the West to seek an urgent diplomatic channel to de-escalate tensions.
The First Vice President stressed that the recent conflict was not merely a military confrontation but a systematic attempt to undermine Iran’s internal stability. Yet, as Aref noted, the Iranian people demonstrated exceptional awareness and resilience, launching grassroots initiatives such as the free distribution of essential goods and rallying behind the state during moments of pressure.
Underlining the state’s robustness despite targeted attacks on its leadership, Aref observed that the martyrdom of commanders and scientists does not weaken Iran but instead cultivates a new generation of conscious, committed youth ready to carry the torch. He highlighted that Iran’s security and defense institutions were able to execute precision operations within hours of leadership changes—a testament to the depth of their institutional foundations and the maturity of the Iranian experience.
Addressing both domestic and international audiences, the First Vice President warned of the need to remain perpetually vigilant, cautioning that a defeated adversary may attempt to strike again. He reaffirmed that “reliance on the West does not bring security,” echoing the broader convictions of the resistance axis and reminding free nations that betting on Washington and its allies is a losing gamble that yields only ruin, occupation, and blockade.
Aref concluded his tour by announcing a pivot toward strengthening the state’s service and productive capacities, revealing the formation of a special reconstruction committee in cooperation with civil-society organizations—an initiative that marks Iran’s transition from defense to self-reliant rebuilding, informed by the lessons of recent aggression and fortified by popular unity and institutional effectiveness.
Thus, Tehran once again underscores that the equation of power is written in missiles and willpower—not in negotiations and entreaties—and that the era of Western diktats imposed on free nations has irrevocably come to an end.