Iran Signals No More Retaliation for U.S. Strikes, But Uranium Enrichment Will Continue
In a surprising twist to the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, a top Iranian official recently told NBC News that Tehran has no plans to retaliate further against the United States following its punishing military strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. The deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with Washington, signaling a possible thaw in one of the most fraught international standoffs of recent years.
No More Retaliation — For Now
When asked about the possibility of more Iranian responses to U.S. attacks, Takht-Ravanchi was clear: “As long as there is no act of aggression being perpetrated by the United States against us, we will not respond again.” This marked a notable shift from the fiery rhetoric that often dominates Iran’s official statements. While Tehran remains defiant about its nuclear ambitions, it appears for now to be exercising restraint in direct military retaliation.
A Brutal 12-Day Conflict
The backdrop to this announcement is a brutal, nearly two-week-long exchange of strikes and missile attacks that brought the region to the brink. On June 12, Israel launched devastating airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, killing dozens of senior military personnel and nuclear scientists. Iran claims that nearly 1,000 people, including 38 children, lost their lives during the Israeli assaults.
In response, Iran fired missiles into Israeli cities like Tel Aviv, which led to 38 deaths, according to Israeli officials. These tit-for-tat attacks rattled nerves internationally, but a fragile ceasefire has been holding since last week, avoiding further escalation.
Trump’s Role in Escalation
It was President Donald Trump who ordered the most severe U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, delivering what Iran calls “serious damage” to its facilities. The U.S. military dropped 14 massive GBU-57 bombs — sometimes called “bunker busters” due to their 30,000-pound weight — on key sites including the Fordo nuclear facility, marking the first time the U.S. directly bombed Iranian soil.
The strikes aimed to curb Iran’s nuclear capacity but also fueled tensions that quickly escalated. Just two days later, Iran retaliated by launching missile strikes on an American military base in Qatar. Though no casualties were reported, and some flights were diverted from the busy Doha airport, Trump dismissed the attack as “very weak,” underlining the high-stakes game both sides were playing.
A Question of Trust
Takht-Ravanchi voiced frustration over the ongoing missile exchange, especially since Iran was still negotiating with the Trump administration on the nuclear deal at the time. The official stressed how trust has evaporated following America’s withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark nuclear agreement.
“How can we trust the Americans?” Takht-Ravanchi asked pointedly. “We want them to explain as to why they misled us, why they took such an egregious action against our people.” This lack of trust is a key hurdle to any future negotiations and remains a major stumbling block in the tense relationship.
Open to Talks, But with Conditions
Despite the distrust and recent violence, Iran seems to be extending a cautious olive branch. “We are for diplomacy,” said Takht-Ravanchi. “We are for dialogue.” However, he emphasized a crucial condition for any future talks: The U.S. must commit to refraining from military force during negotiations.
“That is an essential element for our leadership to be in a position to decide about the future round of talks,” he explained. This signals that while Iran is ready to engage, it’s demanding guarantees of peace and respect before entering any serious diplomatic discussions.
Uranium Enrichment: The Core Issue
One thing Iran is firm about is its right to continue enriching uranium. Takht-Ravanchi reiterated Iran’s longstanding position that it has “every right to do enrichment within its territory,” as recognized by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which Iran signed back in 1970.
The NPT allows signatories to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and Iran insists its nuclear program is exactly that — aimed at power generation, not weaponization. “Our policy has not changed on enrichment,” Takht-Ravanchi said. “The only thing that we have to observe is not to go for militarization.”
This nuanced stance is critical. While Iran denies any ambition to build nuclear weapons, its uranium enrichment levels have raised alarms internationally. After the collapse of the JCPOA, Iran began enriching uranium up to 60%, edging closer to the 90% threshold typically needed for weapons-grade material.
Concerns from the International Community
The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), along with other watchdogs, have voiced concerns over Iran’s increasing enrichment levels. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi recently hinted that Iran might have moved about 880 pounds of highly enriched uranium before the U.S. strikes, although Iran has remained silent on the whereabouts of that material.
When asked about those allegations, Takht-Ravanchi refused to comment, stating simply, “I do not know where those materials are, and I will stop at that.”
Iran’s Willingness to Negotiate the Nuclear Program
Despite the tensions, Iran is open to discussions about the specifics of its enrichment program. “Iran is ready to engage with others to talk about the scope, the level, the capacity of our enrichment program,” Takht-Ravanchi said.
This suggests Iran might be willing to negotiate some limits or transparency measures — but only on its own terms and with guarantees that the U.S. will not resort to military pressure.
Summary: A Fragile Moment in a Complex Relationship
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Iran will not retaliate further unless attacked again by the U.S.
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The brutal 12-day war between Israel and Iran caused heavy casualties.
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Trump’s administration delivered unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
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Iran retaliated with missile attacks on U.S. bases, but no injuries reported.
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Deep mistrust remains between the U.S. and Iran after the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA.
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Iran insists on its right to uranium enrichment under the NPT.
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The country is open to new talks but demands no military threats during negotiations.
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The international community watches closely, concerned about Iran’s enrichment levels.
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The IAEA has raised questions about Iran’s nuclear material movements, but Iran has been tight-lipped.
This latest development hints at a rare chance for diplomacy amid years of conflict and suspicion. The key will be whether both sides can rebuild trust and commit to peaceful negotiations — without any more bombs or missiles flying.
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