Ahead of key talks with European powers, Iran says right to enrich uranium 'unshakable'

Motorists drive their vehicles past a billboard depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei displayed in the centre of Tehran's Valiasr Square on July 13, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

Iran on Thursday reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium, saying it was "unshakable", on the eve of key talks with European powers threatening to reimpose sanctions.

"Especially after the recent war, it is important for them to understand that the Islamic Republic of Iran's position remains unshakable, and that our uranium enrichment will continue. We will not give up this right of the Iranian people," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Earlier this week, Tehran agreed to hold talks with European powers – the E3 (Britain, France, and Germany) – in Istanbul, scheduled to be held on Friday. This marks the first formal engagement since US and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities a month ago, triggering a dangerous new phase in Middle East tensions.

While the talks were requested by the Europeans and not Tehran, Iran’s willingness to engage signals that diplomacy over its contentious nuclear programme is not entirely dead, even as military escalation continues in the background.

The talks are resuming after weeks of serious military tensions in the region. Israel recently carried out a 12-day offensive aimed at damaging Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The United States also got involved, sending B-2 bombers and using powerful bunker-busting bombs to hit key Iranian sites.

This led to open military exchanges between Iran and Israel, pushing the region closer to a wider conflict. In response, the European powers – Britain, France, and Germany (known as the E3) – have been urging Iran to return to the negotiating table. They’ve warned that European sanctions could be brought back if diplomacy breaks down.