by .webp)
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has admitted that the country’s nuclear facilities sustained “excessive and serious” damage from recent US and Israeli airstrikes. Speaking on state television Thursday evening, Araghchi said the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran is assessing the extent of the destruction.
The statement contradicts earlier claims by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who, responding to US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the strikes “totally obliterated” three nuclear sites, insisted the attacks caused no significant disruption to Iran’s nuclear programme. Khamenei, who has been in hiding since the conflict with Israel began on June 13, dismissed Trump’s claims as exaggerated and declared a symbolic victory over the US and Israel.
The US strikes targeted nuclear facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claiming the attacks “significantly damaged” Iran’s nuclear programme, potentially setting it back years. However, a leaked Pentagon assessment suggested the damage might only delay the programme by a few months, a claim dismissed by the Trump administration.
Araghchi also ruled out resuming nuclear talks with the US, noting that Iran canceled a planned sixth round of negotiations when Israel’s attacks began. “No agreement, arrangement, or conversation has been made to start new negotiations,” he said, adding that Iran’s government is reevaluating its diplomatic strategy in the “interest of the Iranian people.” He did not elaborate on what this new approach might entail.
The Trump administration has reportedly considered offering Iran $30 billion to develop a civilian nuclear energy programme, alongside easing sanctions and releasing restricted Iranian funds, to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table, according to CNN. However, Iran’s parliament recently approved a bill to halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), potentially blocking nuclear inspectors from accessing its sites if implemented.
Israel justified its offensive as necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies, maintaining its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes.
Iran’s health ministry reported 610 deaths from 12 days of Israeli airstrikes, while Israeli authorities confirmed 28 fatalities in Israel. As Tehran begins to recover, residents remain deeply shaken by the conflict.
