Iran’s nuclear program can never be destroyed and the United States will face consequences if it launches new attacks, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said.
With UN sanctions on Iran set to be reinstated on September 28, Tehran will halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Larijani warned.
“We have pursued every option and mechanism available to resolve this conflict peacefully,” he said in an interview with PBS’s Frontline, recorded on September 22 and partially aired Friday.
Larijani warned US President Donald Trump against new attacks, saying Iran will never surrender.
Asked about damage to bombed nuclear sites, Larijani declined to provide details: “We haven't abandoned any of those locations. They could continue operating as they are or be shut down in the future.”
‘Know-how can’t be taken away’
Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran in June, targeting nuclear and military sites as well as key officials. Iran retaliated with drones and ballistic missiles.
On June 22, the United States joined the campaign, striking nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan. A US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel was established on June 24.
Iran’s national security chief dismissed assertions that the country’s nuclear capabilities had been destroyed.
“Iran's nuclear program cannot be destroyed. Once a technology is discovered, it can't be taken away. It's like inventing a machine that gets stolen—you can still rebuild it,” Larijani said.
‘Unreasonable terms’
Any talks about curbing Tehran’s missile program are a non-starter, Larijani said.
“The Americans insist we negotiate specifically about Iran's missiles. They’ve demanded no enrichment at all, or missile ranges below 300 kilometers (185 miles), now 500 kilometers (310 miles) — essentially stripping us of key defensive and offensive capabilities.”
US president Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he had offered full cooperation in exchange for Iran suspending its nuclear program, but said his letter to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was met with threats.
Larijani said the Islamic Republic is open to dialogue but will reject what he called “unreasonable” terms.
