The escalating conflict over uranium enrichment dominated the day's reporting. Following yesterday's US position hardening, Foreign Minister Araqchi firmly declared that "enrichment is non-negotiable," contradicting US representative Witkoff's demand that Iran completely abandon its enrichment program. Iranian media extensively covered Araqchi's trip to Russia to deliver Khamenei's written message to Putin, a diplomatic move coinciding with Russia's Federation Council approving a 20-year strategic treaty with Iran.
IAEA Director General Grossi inserted himself into negotiations, asserting that any Iran-US agreement would be "just a piece of paper" without the agency's verification role. Grossi later arrived in Tehran as reported by Al-Alam.
President Pezeshkian made his first public comments on negotiations, emphasizing that "government operations continue regardless of negotiation outcomes." Expediency Council head Amoli Larijani closed debate on FATF legislation, stating it is "absolutely not reviewable" at present, countering parliamentary pressure to delay consideration until after nuclear negotiations.
