Iran Confirms Nuclear Program Will Continue After Strikes

Iran’s foreign ministry has announced that the nation’s nuclear program will continue, even after suffering severe damage from coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. The statement, broadcast ahead of landmark nuclear talks with European powers, signals Tehran’s renewed defiance and national resolve.

Despite a pause in uranium enrichment due to extensive facility damage, Iranian officials stressed that abandoning the program is not an option. They framed nuclear enrichment as a symbol of scientific achievement and national pride, making its continuation a non-negotiable stance.

Heavy Strikes on Key Nuclear Sites

In late June, American and Israeli forces launched a massive aerial campaign targeting Iran’s main nuclear complexes at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. U.S. B-2 bombers dropped powerful bunker-buster munitions in the largest such operation ever mounted by the Air Force. Military leaders claimed the strikes aimed to slow any progress toward weaponization.

Iranian officials admit the strikes caused "serious and severe" damage. Activity at Fordow, a site built deep within a mountain, was temporarily halted. Material losses included advanced centrifuges and quantities of enriched uranium. Even so, Iran’s response emphasized that the pause is only temporary, not a sign of surrender.

Did you know?
Despite multiple bombings over two decades, Iran’s Fordow nuclear site was built inside a mountain to survive heavy airstrikes and remains partially operational.

Diplomacy in the Shadow of Conflict

The attacks have set a tense backdrop for upcoming negotiations in Istanbul, where Iranian envoys will meet with their British, French, and German counterparts. These talks mark the first direct diplomatic engagement since the June conflict that saw both U.S. and Israeli aircraft strike hardened Iranian targets.

European powers, frustrated by stalled diplomacy, have threatened to reimpose sweeping international sanctions by invoking a "snapback mechanism" if no progress is made soon. Iran dismissed these threats as "meaningless, unjustifiable, and immoral," signaling little flexibility around nuclear demands.

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Nuclear Program Status and Western Concern

Prior to the latest attacks, Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity, far beyond the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal. International monitors warned that the stockpile could allow for rapid development of several nuclear weapons if enriched further. After the strikes, inspectors have faced restricted access as Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Despite President Donald Trump’s claims that the strikes "totally obliterated" Iran’s nuclear capabilities, intelligence reports suggest the damage, while extensive, may only delay Iran’s progress by months, not years. The Fordow facility, specifically designed to survive bombardment, reportedly remains partially operational.

National Pride and Political Messaging

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that, for Iran, nuclear enrichment is both a scientific right and a matter of dignity. "We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," he stated. Iranian leaders view foreign pressure as further justification for maintaining the program.

President Trump and U.S. officials warned that further military strikes are possible if Iran accelerates its nuclear efforts. Regional observers and diplomats worry the next months could see escalation on both sides, especially if diplomatic engagement in Turkey fails to lower tensions.

European Role and Future Uncertainty

The European Union has positioned itself as the chief mediator, but unity among Western allies remains fragile. Britain, France, and Germany are pressuring both sides to compromise at the Istanbul meeting. European nations are prepared to advocate for renewed global sanctions should Iran resume enrichment at pre-strike levels without monitoring. Their leverage, however, depends on consensus both within and beyond Europe.

Outlook: Tensions Remain High

With both diplomatic deadlines and military threats hanging over this week’s Istanbul talks, the fragile standoff between Iran and its rivals is far from resolved. Iranian officials have made clear their program will continue, a message likely to harden negotiating positions and shape the next phase in the world’s most dangerous nuclear dispute.