Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has asserted that Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy knowhow and determination to further advance its peaceful nuclear industry could not simply be destroyed through military aggression.
"One cannot obliterate the technology and science for [peaceful uranium] enrichment through bombings," the top diplomat told CBS News in an interview that was aired on Tuesday, Press TV reported.
Israel launched an unprovoked war on the Islamic Republic on June 13, taking aim at the country’s nuclear facilities, among many other targets.
The US, which had already been contributing heavily to the aggression through unprecedented military and intelligence support, stepped in towards the end of its 12-day span, hitting several nuclear sites located in the central and north-central parts of Iran.
Araghchi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump alleged that the targeted sites had been “obliterated” in the American attacks -- an assertion that was later debunked by the Pentagon’s own assessments.
The foreign minister underlined that the Iran was completely willing and capable of recuperating the losses, painting a promising picture of how fast the country could do so.
"If there is this will on our part, and the will exists in order to once again make progress in this industry, we will be able to expeditiously repair the damages and make up for the lost time," he stated.
The official ascribed the country’s determination to further enhance its peaceful nuclear energy expertise to the nuclear industry’s having turned into a source of national pride.
According to Araghchi, the nation’s pride in the industry was powerfully demonstrated during its decisive defense of the country, including its nuclear installations, throughout the Israeli-imposed war.
“We have also gone through 12 days of imposed war, therefore, people will not easily back down from enrichment," he said, adding, “During the war, we demonstrated and proved our ability to defend ourselves.”
Araghchi, additionally, underlined that the country would promptly act in self-defense if faced with renewed aggression.
bd-pratidin/GR
