Iran's President Stands Firm on Uranium Enrichment Amid European Disregard
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi defended Iran's enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels, stating that it was in response to European states not fulfilling their commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement. Raisi denied accusations that Iran seeks to build a nuclear bomb and reiterated Tehran's claim that it does not plan to acquire one. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and world powers, including the US and the European Union, aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The US withdrew from the deal in 2018, affecting European trade with Iran. Iran has accused other JCPOA signatories of failing to uphold their parts of the agreement. Talks to revive the deal have been ongoing but have not yet resulted in an agreement.