Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian regime’s Foreign Minister, has warned that Western threats to reimpose United Nations sanctions could push nuclear policy debates in Iran toward developing nuclear weapons. Speaking during his trip to Lisbon, Portugal, Araghchi said, “If the West continues its threats, discussions within Iran will inevitably move toward acquiring nuclear weapons.” This statement is part of the regime’s broader strategy of nuclear extortion, aiming to intimidate the West into avoiding a firm policy on Tehran.
Araghchi announced that Iran has begun operating thousands of advanced centrifuges in response to a recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution. “Gas injection into these state-of-the-art centrifuges has already begun,” he said, attributing this move to Western “pressure.” He added that, for now, Iran is holding back from enriching uranium beyond 60%, but made clear that such restraint is conditional and could change based on Western actions.
“Iran has previously possessed the capability and knowledge to build nuclear weapons, but this has not been part of Tehran’s security strategy,” Araghchi stressed.
The Foreign Minister attempted to portray Tehran as a victim of Western duplicity while simultaneously issuing veiled threats designed to intimidate. “We complied with all their [Western] demands, yet when it was their turn to lift sanctions, nothing materialized,” Araghchi claimed, framing the regime’s failures in negotiations as evidence of Western bad faith. He warned that triggering the snapback mechanism, which would reinstate UN sanctions, could push Iran to abandon its current nuclear policy. “If this happens, everyone in Iran will be convinced that our approach has been fundamentally mistaken, and we will face a crisis,” Araghchi declared, signaling that the regime is ready to escalate in response to firm action from the West.
#Iran’s Regime Gripped by Fear Over Potential Activation of #UNSC Snapback Mechanismhttps://t.co/ZQmuuxPniw
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 24, 2024
He denied allegations of the regime supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, calling its military cooperation with Moscow “long-standing and entirely legitimate.”
Araghchi’s remarks, along with Tehran’s deployment of advanced centrifuges, underline the regime’s strategy of leveraging its nuclear program to intimidate and extort the West into inaction. Instead of addressing global concerns about its nuclear violations, Iran is escalating its threats, hoping to avoid further sanctions. These threats are part of a calculated gamble to exploit the West’s fear of escalation while continuing its illicit activities.
As the regime’s defiance grows, international unity and firm action are critical. Araghchi’s remarks are not signs of strength but rather an attempt to project power in the face of mounting domestic unrest, economic collapse, and international isolation. Tehran’s strategy of nuclear blackmail must be met with decisive measures, including the snapback mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions. Only a firm and united response can prevent further escalation and hold the regime accountable for its actions.
