Iran on Thursday has firmly denied allegations by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons, with Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi asserting that the country has no intention of building atomic bombs.
Witkoff, speaking to Fox News following recent talks with Iranian officials, claimed that Tehran’s negotiators were “proud” of possessing 400 kilograms (approximately 880 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a level he said could be sufficient for around 10 to 11 nuclear bombs if further enriched.
Responding to the remarks in an interview with a TV on Wednesday, Takht-Ravanchi acknowledged Iran’s stockpile but rejected the suggestion that it signaled weapons ambitions.
“It is no secret that Iran has 880 pounds of enriched uranium,” he said. “But if that 60% enriched uranium were enriched further, it could theoretically amount to about 10 bombs. That does not mean we are seeking to possess nuclear weapons.”
He emphasised that Iran’s nuclear advancements were the result of domestic scientific progress, not a military objective. “We were not bragging — we were simply stating the outcome of our scientific achievements,” he added.
Takht-Ravanchi also signaled Tehran’s willingness to scale back its nuclear activities under certain conditions. Speaking on Thursday, he said Iran would be prepared to abandon aspects of its nuclear development if it received a favorable counteroffer from the United States.
“We are ready to get rid of this, provided we receive something meaningful in return,” he said, underscoring Iran’s openness to a negotiated settlement.
