US strikes severely damaged nuclear sites, enrichment halted, says Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that US strikes caused serious damage to the country’s nuclear facilities, temporarily halting uranium enrichment.

However, he firmly rejected the idea that Iran would abandon its enrichment program, calling it a matter of national pride.

“Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged,” Araghchi said in an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, noting that Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization is still assessing the full extent of the destruction.

He declined to comment on whether any enriched uranium survived the attacks.

While confirming that enrichment activities are currently suspended, Araghchi emphasized that the United States' goal of ending Iran’s enrichment capability “will not be achieved.”

“We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” he said. “Our enrichment is so dear to us.”