Araghchi: The damage to Fordow has been very serious and extensive

In an interview with the American network CBS, Araghchi stated: "Nuclear energy has become a science and technology in Iran, and it’s clear that technology cannot be destroyed by bombing. Therefore, if our will is to resume progress in this industry—and it is—this determination ensures that we can quickly repair all the damage and restore everything. This is not because the facilities are untouched, but because the technology is intact, and it resides in our scientists."

In response to a question about reports claiming the Iranian government is accelerating engineering efforts to regain access to Fordow, he reiterated: "No one knows exactly what has happened there. From what I know, the damage is significant and serious. The Atomic Energy Organization is assessing the situation, and results will be announced to the government."

When asked whether Iranian inspectors have been able to access Fordow—or are still trying to—Araghchi said: "That’s a matter for the Atomic Energy Organization. They are currently evaluating the site."

In response to a question regarding U.S. President Trump’s repeated claims that Iran's nuclear facilities were “obliterated” in U.S. strikes, Araghchi stated: "Apparently, the damage has been very heavy and very serious. Again, I do not have detailed information. But it seems the facilities are currently unusable, pending further assessment on whether and how long it would take to restart them—if restarting is even possible."

Regarding IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s statement that Iran might resume enrichment in the coming months, Araghchi said: "His assessment is based on Iran’s enrichment technology and expertise. From that perspective, yes—I believe he is correct. Our enrichment industry is domestic. It wasn’t imported and cannot be eliminated through bombing."

He reiterated: "Nuclear energy has become a scientific and technological field in Iran. Technology cannot be bombed out of existence. If our will is to move forward again—and it is—we can restore the damage quickly. This is not because the facilities are intact, but because our technology and expertise are intact."

In response to a question from CBS about whether Iran will resume enrichment if it's technically able to do so in a few months, Araghchi stressed: "We are currently assessing the situation after the aggression by the Israeli regime and the United States. Our policies are being developed. The truth is, we’ve invested a great deal in our enrichment industry. Our scientists have worked hard, and our people have endured a lot. We’ve been under heavy sanctions for over 20 years because of enrichment. We were taken to the UN Security Council, our scientists were assassinated, our facilities were sabotaged. And yet, we tried to ensure the program remained peaceful and to prove to the international community that our nuclear activities are within peaceful bounds."

He continued: "We even entered into an agreement—one that the whole world celebrated as a diplomatic victory. But unfortunately, the U.S. withdrew from it."

Araghchi concluded: "We have endured all this. Enrichment has become a matter of national pride for Iranians. Now that we’ve fought a war over it—a 12-day war—it has become even more significant. It’s not something anyone can just abandon. It’s a matter of national dignity and it will definitely be preserved. We will certainly strive to maintain it."

He added: "Of course, our nuclear program remains peaceful. We have no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. Based on the fatwa of the Supreme Leader, such weapons are forbidden and have no place in our security doctrine. I hope the world—especially the West—will recognize and accept this: that the Iranian people have a right to peaceful nuclear energy, and they will not give up that right."