Iran’s Foreign Minister emphasized that “enrichment is an inherent right of Iran,” asserting: “Military posturing does not intimidate us. We are people of diplomacy, but we are also people of war—not in the sense that we seek conflict, but that we are fully prepared to defend ourselves against any aggression.”
Tehran – IranView24
Addressing the National Congress on Foreign Policy on Sunday, Seyed Abbas Araghchi commemorated the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, honoring the late Imam Khomeini and the martyrs who secured the revolution’s victory.
The Historical Pursuit of True Independence
“On the anniversary of the Revolution, it is fitting to reflect on why it occurred and what its core ideals were,” Araghchi stated. He noted that while Iran was never formally a colony, the Iranian people felt a profound lack of genuine independence in the three centuries leading up to the Revolution.
“The slogan ‘Independence, Freedom, and the Islamic Republic’ was not coincidental. People sought real independence, free from foreign influence,” he explained. Araghchi emphasized that the rejection of global hegemony is a pillar of the Islamic Republic, stating that Iranian foreign policy cannot be understood without acknowledging the nation’s demand for dignity and sovereignty.
The Nuclear Program as a Symbol of Sovereignty
Turning to the nuclear issue, the Foreign Minister argued that Iran has paid a significant price for its peaceful nuclear program, not just for technical needs, but to assert its rights. “Why do we insist on enrichment and refuse to abandon it? Because no one has the right to tell us what we cannot have. This is our legal right,” he asserted.
Araghchi continued: “Enrichment was a means for Iran to prove it does not take orders from anyone. If there are questions, we provide answers through diplomacy. They have tried bombing our nuclear facilities, yet they know there is no solution other than negotiation.” He noted that he informed the American team that negotiations would only succeed when the rights of the Iranian people are formally acknowledged. “The secret of the Islamic Republic’s power lies in its ability to stand against bullying and external pressure.”
The Doctrine of Defiance
The Foreign Minister stated that world powers fear Iran’s “ability to say no” rather than a nuclear bomb, which Iran is not seeking. “If we had not resisted during the 12-day war, it would have remained a permanent stain on our history. Iran’s refusal to surrender had to be proven.”
Addressing current regional tensions, Araghchi reiterated: “Their military deployments do not frighten us. If we are spoken to with the language of respect, we respond in kind. If the language of force is used, we respond accordingly.” He concluded by emphasizing that “Dignity, Wisdom, and Expediency” remain the fundamental principles governing Iran’s foreign policy.
