Trump Highlights Severe Damage to Nuclear Facilities
Iran Stresses It Cannot Abandon Uranium Enrichment
On July 21 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump warned that he could strike Iran's nuclear facilities again if necessary.
On this day, President Trump posted on his own social networking service, Truth Social, stating, "Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the damage to Iran's nuclear facilities is 'very severe and destroyed,'" and added, "If necessary, we will do it (an airstrike) again." The remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, cited by President Trump, were made during an interview aired on Fox News that day.
In the interview with Fox News, Foreign Minister Araghchi was asked, "Is the uranium enrichment program still ongoing, or has everything stopped because the damage is too severe?" He replied, "It is currently halted. The damage is too severe and extreme."
Minister Araghchi also added, "However, we cannot give up uranium enrichment. This is the achievement of our scientists, and now it has become an issue of national pride. Uranium enrichment is extremely precious to us."
These remarks are interpreted as emphasizing that uranium enrichment cannot be abandoned, not for economic reasons, but as a matter of national pride. Additional conflict is expected in future negotiations with the United States.
After the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, President Trump responded to CNN's report suggesting that Iran's damage could be limited, stating, "Fake news CNN should immediately fire that fake reporter and apologize to me and the great pilots who completely destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities."
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