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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Iran has "every right to enjoy a peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment," as negotiations with the United States over Tehran's nuclear program head into a critical week.
Araghchi confirmed that negotiators from both sides will meet again Thursday in Geneva, following talks last week where both sides said progress was made.
Araghchi said the only way to find a resolution for Iran's nuclear program is through diplomacy, stressing that a solution is within reach.
"So there is no need for any military buildup, and military buildup cannot help it and cannot pressurize us," he said during an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
The Iranian foreign minister, who helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal under the Obama administration, said Iran is still working on a draft proposal for Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East.
"We can work on those elements and prepare a good text and come to a fast deal," Araghchi said of the Thursday meeting.
He said a deal better than the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is possible, noting that Iran's nuclear program has technologically advanced over the past 10 years.
"We can agree on basic things, and we can make sure that Iran's program, nuclear program, is peaceful and will remain peaceful forever, and at the same time, more sanctions would be lifted," Araghchi said.
Asked whether Iran is offering a nuclear-only deal, Araghchi confirmed: "Right now, we are negotiating only nuclear and there is no other subject."
On the question of weapons inspectors, Araghchi said Iran is ready to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency and may accept the additional protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty under certain conditions.
"A full verification mechanism, full monitoring mechanism, is acceptable and can be in place," he said.
U.S. officials have expressed widespread skepticism about Iran's nuclear program, including 52 Republican senators and 177 House Republicans who called on U.S. President Donald Trump to demand zero enrichment and full dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program.
Araghchi argued that "enrichment is our right" as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"We have developed this technology by ourselves, by our scientists, and it's very dear to us," Araghchi said.
"So that is now a matter of dignity and pride for Iranians, and we are not going to give it up. There is no legal reason to do that while everything is peaceful, while everything is safeguarded by the agency," he added.
He called enrichment a "sensitive part" of the negotiations, noting that the U.S. negotiators are aware of Iran's position. "We have already exchanged our concerns, and I think a solution is achievable," he noted.
President Trump recently stated that, amid a massive military buildup in the region, that he is considering a limited military strike on Iran, after warning that Tehran had a matter of days to reach a deal or "bad things" would happen.
Araghchi said Iran is "fully prepared" to defend itself if attacked.
"If the U.S. attacks us, then we have every right to defend ourselves," he said.
"Our missiles cannot hit the American soil. So obviously we have to do something else. We have to hit, you know, the Americans' base in the region," he added.
Araghchi referenced Iran's recent conflict with Israel, claiming Iranian missiles successfully hit their targets inside Israel. "We are in a powerful position to defend ourselves," he said.
Still, Araghchi questioned why conflict would be necessary "when there is every possibility for a peaceful solution."
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