In a revealing Fox News interview Monday night, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that U.S. airstrikes last month severely damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, forcing the regime to halt its uranium enrichment activities—at least temporarily.
“Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged,” Araghchi told host Bret Baier during Special Report.
Araghchi said Iran’s “automechanical organization” is still assessing whether any previously enriched material survived, further confirming Pentagon assessments that the strikes have set Iran’s nuclear program back by at least two years.
Iranian FM: Our Nuclear Facilities Are Seriously Damaged
Abbas Araghchi: “Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged.”https://t.co/rfTzcb6XsR pic.twitter.com/vrmrexMtE3
— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) July 22, 2025
Pentagon: Mission Success
The strikes—carried out jointly by the United States and Israel—targeted Iran’s key nuclear sites at Natanz and Isfahan, with the U.S. conducting solo bunker-buster strikes on the hardened underground complex at Fordow.
Fordow was considered one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites, previously deemed untouchable without U.S. involvement.
The June battle damage assessment, leaked weeks ago, now appears to be publicly validated by Iran’s own foreign minister.
Araghchi: Uranium Enrichment “Stopped”—For Now
Pressed by Baier on the current status of uranium enrichment, Araghchi conceded:
“It is stopped because… damages are serious and severe. But obviously, we cannot give up enrichment—it is a question of national pride.”
Iran has long claimed its nuclear program is “peaceful”, a claim dismissed by U.S. intelligence and President Donald Trump, who has made clear that no new agreement will be made until enrichment ceases entirely.
Diplomatic Openings?
Despite the strong rhetoric, Araghchi left the door open to potential negotiations, referencing his previous role as a lead negotiator in the Obama-era JCPOA deal.
“Maybe the current administration doesn’t like that [JCPOA], but we can come to a similar deal—a better deal,” he said.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the 2015 deal as weak, unverifiable, and a massive giveaway to the Iranian regime, instead pursuing a maximum pressure campaign and asserting military force when necessary.
When asked if more U.S. strikes were likely if Iran restarted enrichment, Araghchi warned that bombings can destroy buildings, not knowledge—but admitted that Iran is not currently enriching uranium as a result of the successful strikes.
Trump: No Deal Without Accountability
President Trump has not responded directly to the interview, but has repeatedly said any future agreement with Iran must include:
A permanent end to uranium enrichment.
Full access for U.S. and allied inspectors.
Iran’s abandonment of regional terror networks.
