Iran's stance firm on uranium enrichment amid pending U.S. talks: Iranian FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced on Sunday that the date for the next round of talks between Iran and the United States has not been finalized yet, and emphasized that Iran will not compromise with the U.S. on uranium enrichment.

According to the top diplomat, Iran will not rush or delay the process, but will hold talks "patiently and calmly." He also reiterated that Iran will not compromise on its people's rights, including to enrich uranium.

On Sunday, the Iranian Islamic Republic News Agency held an exclusive interview with members of Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Behnam Saeedi and Salar Velayatmadar. The two lawmakers emphasized that the country has never pursued nuclear arms, per the directives of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

But to have the capacity of uranium enrichment is "a red line" and "an inalienable right" of Iran, said the two officials.

"From the very first round of negotiations, we made it clear that enrichment should not be up for discussion," Velayatmadar added.

Behnam Saeedi further cautioned that the negotiations could face challenges if the American side ignores or attempts to undermine Iran's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, assuring that "the Iranian negotiating team will firmly defend the country's rights, and will not back down."

On May 23, Iran and the U.S. held the fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome. After the meeting, the Omani mediator, who hosted the talks, noted that both sides had made "some but not conclusive progress" during the meeting.

In contrast to the less optimistic views from the Omani side, U.S. President Trump said on Sunday that the U.S. has "had some very, very good talks with Iran," and both sides have "had some real progress, serious progress."

On April 12, the U.S. and Iran held the first indirect nuclear talks in Muscat, the capital of Oman since the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. Following the first round, the two sides held four additional rounds of talks on April 19, April 26, May 11, and May 23. The April 19 and May 23 talks took place in Rome, while the remaining rounds were again held in Muscat.

Iran's stance firm on uranium enrichment amid pending U.S. talks: Iranian FM

Iran's stance firm on uranium enrichment amid pending U.S. talks: Iranian FM

Iran's stance firm on uranium enrichment amid pending U.S. talks: Iranian FM

Iran's stance firm on uranium enrichment amid pending U.S. talks: Iranian FM

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests