Tehran - BORNA - Seyyed Kamal Kharazi stated that Iran's nuclear program is "indigenous," adding: "This capability is rooted in the skills and knowledge of our scientists and engineers and cannot be destroyed by force."
In an interview with CNN, the Head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations called the cessation of uranium enrichment unacceptable, saying: "We must continue our enrichment because we need to produce fuel for our power plants as well as our medical activities. Therefore, we cannot stop uranium enrichment, but the degree of enrichment can be a subject of negotiation."
He declared Iran's ballistic missile program as non-negotiable, stating: "The only issue we are prepared to engage on with the United States and others is the nuclear issue. We will not talk to others about other issues, including our missile activities, and we will not neglect anything we can do to upgrade our missiles."
Regarding Trump, Kharazi said that if he initiates a positive approach, he will certainly be met with a reciprocal response. For this to happen, "they must refrain from any resort to force against Iran. They have tried it before, and now they know that force is not effective."
The full text of the interview is as follows:
Dialogue and Conditions
Interviewer: It is obvious that there are a lot of tensions right now between the Trump administration and Iran.
Kharazi: And others, of course.
Interviewer: Yes, and others... What is required for Iran and the United States to return to dialogue?
Kharazi: In theory, we have always been ready for diplomatic dialogue. But US President Trump does not believe in diplomatic engagement and instead prefers to use force to achieve his goals.
Interviewer: If they take action, are you willing to dialogue again, or are you willing to contact them again?
Kharazi: Everything depends. If it is based on mutual respect and equal standing, and if the agenda for the negotiation is agreed upon beforehand to clarify the subject and the process of negotiation, we are ready to do so.
Interviewer: If you want to start dialogue, who do you think should take the first step? Do you think they should approach you, or are you also willing to contact them?
Kharazi: They should take the first step to show that they are ready to engage with us based on the conditions we set.
Interviewer: What are those conditions?
Kharazi: I said it must be based on equal standing and mutual respect.
The Nuclear Program: Enrichment and Red Lines
Interviewer: What does that mean regarding Iran's nuclear program? I know they were reportedly very close to reaching a common understanding between Steve Witkoff and Dr. Araghchi. What must you see from the Trump administration regarding your nuclear program?
Kharazi: Iran's nuclear program is indigenous and cannot be simply eliminated by force, because it is rooted in the skills and knowledge of our scientists and engineers. Therefore, the only way is to negotiate how they can reach new understandings with us.
Interviewer: What are your red lines regarding uranium enrichment?
Kharazi: We must continue our enrichment because we need to produce fuel for our power plants as well as our medical activities. Therefore, we cannot stop uranium enrichment. However, the degree of enrichment is a subject of negotiation.
Interviewer: Do you think a common understanding might exist there? We also heard that they were close to understanding how to proceed, and how the US could also feel that enrichment is essentially halted, perhaps through a consortium here? Do you think there is a way to reach an agreement?
Kharazi: I think if there are real negotiations between Iran and the United States, there are ways and means to ensure that Iran can continue its enrichment while assuring others that it will not seek nuclear weapons.
Interviewer: You are not close to discussing changing the fatwa against nuclear weapons at all, presumably? Is there no discussion there?
Kharazi: No. The fatwa is unchangeable. And it is the fatwa of the Leader of the Islamic Republic that prohibits the production and use of nuclear weapons.
Interviewer: Is your nuclear program intact as we speak? Is enrichment underway? Are facilities still operating?
Kharazi: Are there facilities?
Interviewer: Are there nuclear facilities in Iran currently enriching and working?
Kharazi: Currently, activities are underway, especially in the medical field. But the damages have not yet been assessed and must be evaluated.
Interviewer: So Natanz and Fordow were all destroyed, and you have not been able to inspect them yet?
Kharazi: They have been attacked, but we do not know how much damage has been sustained.
Interviewer: So you still haven't been able to assess it?
Kharazi: Not yet.
Missile Program and Future Conflict
Interviewer: Well, one of the things Iran is proud of, and one of the things that is very important for the country's defense, is its ballistic missile program. How are you going to upgrade this program? Are you going to expand this program? Because this was the only way you could strike back when Israel fired at you.
Kharazi: Certainly. We must defend ourselves. In fact, we will not neglect anything we can do to produce our missiles—I mean the weapons we can use to defend ourselves and maintain our national security.
Interviewer: So Iran will continue to expand its ballistic missile program because I know some of the ballistic missiles are very advanced.
Kharazi: There is no doubt about this, and it is only regarding the nuclear issue that we are ready to engage with the United States and others. We do not intend to talk or negotiate with others about other issues, including missile activities.
Interviewer: Regarding your missile program, do you cooperate with countries like China and Russia to aid this program, or is it a fully indigenous program?
Kharazi: It is indigenous, in fact. But at the same time, we may cooperate with others in terms of mechanisms of devices or anything else we need, but essentially, this program is indigenous in terms of fuel production and missile production itself.
Interviewer: What is your message to US President Donald Trump right now?
Kharazi: Start with a positive approach. If his approach is positive, it will certainly be reciprocated. But for this to happen, they must refrain from any use of force against Iran. They tried it, and now they know it is not acceptable or effective.
Interviewer: Are you afraid that another military conflict will occur between the United States and Iran or between Israel and Iran?
Kharazi: Everything is possible, but we are prepared.
The Future of Palestine
Interviewer: If I may ask one question I have always wanted to ask. Because you are very close to the Supreme Leader. If a Palestinian state is recognized one day, if a Palestinian state is established, if it has territory, if it has a government, and they reach an agreement in the region, are you willing to change your position toward Israel? You will not object to any decision the Palestinians make.
Kharazi: This is their life and their country. So it is up to them to decide what they must do. Therefore, our support for the resistance forces is solely to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Interviewer: So if they have a state and are satisfied, you will not have a problem with the existence of Israel.
Kharazi: Not with Israel.
Interviewer: But regarding Palestine, I mean, if a Palestinian state is established, and this is the decision of all Palestinians, you will not object, and in that case, you will no longer seek the destruction of Israel if the Palestinians say: "Look, we have no problem. We will live side by side."
Kharazi: This is another story. We do not recognize the Israeli government, because it is based on the occupation of others' land. But from the Palestinian side, if they decide to establish a Palestinian state, we have no objection.
Interviewer: Thank you very much.
Kharazi: You're welcome.
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