Published on: 02/08/2026 - 09:45 Last updated: 02/08/2026 - 20:49

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Sunday during a forum in Tehran that his country will not yield to US President Donald Trump's demands to abandon uranium enrichment, "even if war is imposed on us." Araqchi added that the US military buildup in the Gulf, which aims to pressure Iran, “does not scare us,” amid tension with Washington over the nuclear program. Iran and the United States held a round of discussions in Amman on Friday, after which Trump announced that a new round would be held “early next week.” Return to coverage of events on February 8, 2026.

The US-Iranian talks... any indications of a change in Tehran’s tone?

Iranian authorities arrest three reformists (Fars Agency)

Iranian authorities arrested three reformist figures, including the head of the Reform Front, Azer Mansouri, according to what Fars News Agency reported on Sunday.

The agency reported, "Security and judicial institutions arrested Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh." She added, "The accusations against these individuals include targeting national unity, taking a position against the constitution, harmonizing with enemy propaganda, promoting surrender... and creating secret sabotage mechanisms."

Israel adheres to the need to limit Iranian ballistic missiles and freeze support for Tehran’s allies in the region

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi sentenced to six years in prison in Iran (lawyer)

An Iranian court has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights activist Narges Mohammadi to six years in prison, her lawyer told AFP on Sunday. Lawyer Mustafa Nili said that Mohammadi “was sentenced to six years in prison for being convicted of assembly and conspiracy to commit crimes,” noting that the court also ruled that she should be banned from traveling for two years. The judiciary also issued a ruling to imprison Mohammadi for one and a half years on conviction of engaging in propaganda activities, and to spend two years in the city of Khosuf in the southern Khorasan province in the east of the Islamic Republic.

Diplomatic solution or military option?... Negotiations between the United States and Iran continue

Iran says it will not give up uranium enrichment even in the event of war

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Sunday that his country will not abandon uranium enrichment “even if war is imposed on us” with the United States, which continues to deploy military buildups in the region.

Araqchi's words came after a first session of talks on Friday between Washington and Tehran in Amman, which both parties described as positive, and affirmed their desire to resume them soon.

Iran adheres to what it considers red lines, as it does not accept that the talks include anything other than its nuclear program, and asserts its right to a peaceful nuclear program. As for the United States, which has deployed a large naval force in the Gulf, it is demanding a broader agreement that includes two additional provisions: limiting Iranian missile capabilities and stopping Tehran’s support for armed groups hostile to Israel. It calls on Israel not to be complacent in these two items. To this end, its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, heads to Washington on Wednesday, according to what his office reported on Saturday.

Abbas Araqchi stressed in a forum held in Tehran on Sunday that his country will not yield to the demands of US President Donald Trump to abandon uranium enrichment, “even if war is imposed on us.”

Iran adheres to its right to enrich uranium and shows a willingness to build confidence

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that recognizing Tehran's right to enrich uranium is essential to the success of talks on the nuclear program with the United States.

American and Iranian diplomats held indirect talks in the Sultanate of Oman on Friday with the aim of reviving diplomatic efforts in light of the United States mobilizing naval forces near Iran and Tehran threatening a harsh response if it is attacked.

“We cannot accept a complete denial of enrichment,” Araqchi said. “So, we need to focus on discussions that accept enrichment within Iran while building confidence that enrichment is for peaceful purposes and will remain so.”

Araqchi: Iran has “doubts” about the seriousness of the United States in the negotiations

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that Tehran has doubts about the seriousness of the United States in continuing negotiations with it regarding its nuclear program, noting that any date for resuming the talks has not yet been announced.

In a press conference in Tehran attended by Agence France-Presse, Araqchi considered that “imposing new sanctions (on Iran) and some military moves raises doubts about the seriousness of the other party and its willingness to conduct actual negotiations,” pointing out that his country “will evaluate all indicators and take a decision regarding continuing negotiations.”

Araqchi: The US military buildup “does not frighten” Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that the US military buildup in the Gulf, which aims to pressure Iran, “does not scare us,” amid tension with Washington over the nuclear program.

Araqchi said the day after President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East visited the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf region: “Their military buildup in the region does not scare us.” The Iranian minister added during a forum in Tehran: “We are a diplomatic nation, and we are also a war nation, but that does not mean that we seek war.”

Araqchi: Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment even in the event of war

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Sunday that Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment “even if war is imposed on us,” after two days of talks on the nuclear file with Washington hosted by the Sultanate of Oman.

Araqchi stressed during a forum in Tehran that "Iran has paid a heavy price for its peaceful nuclear program and uranium enrichment."

The Iranian minister, who met with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat on Friday, added: “Why do we so insist on uranium enrichment and refuse to abandon it even if war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to dictate our actions.”

Tehran hopes to continue negotiations with Washington and stresses its red lines

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed his hope on Saturday for a rapid resumption of negotiations with the United States, warning at the same time that his country is ready to strike American bases in the region if they are subjected to an American attack.

Indirect negotiations were held Friday between Washington and Tehran in Muscat, the first since the United States in June launched strikes on major nuclear sites during a 12-day war that Israel began against Iran. After the negotiation round ended, US President Donald Trump praised the "very good" talks, while Araqchi spoke of a "very positive atmosphere."

On Saturday, according to excerpts from an interview with Al Jazeera published on his official channel on the Telegram application, Araqchi indicated a “good start.” He said: “At the present time, no specific date has been set for the second round of negotiations, but we and Washington believe that these negotiations should be held soon.”

Trump announced on Friday that the two sides would meet again “early next week.”

Netanyahu will discuss the Iran file with Trump in Washington on Wednesday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday that he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday "to discuss negotiations with Iran."

Iran and the United States held a round of discussions in Amman on Friday, after which Trump announced that a new round would be held “early next week.”

This will be the sixth meeting between Trump and Netanyahu since the US President took office in the White House in early 2025.

France 24/Reuters/AFP

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