Brief Notes

FM Says Regime Will ‘Never Yield to Zero Enrichment’: Islamic Republic Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview today that Tehran would “never yield to zero enrichment,” calling any agreement that eliminates enrichment “treasonous” and insisting the nuclear program is a matter of “national pride and glory.” Earlier, regime-affiliated outlets had also dismissed reports that Tehran was considering a long-term halt to enrichment as “baseless.” Araghchi maintained that the regime’s nuclear activities will continue under national law and said upcoming discussions with the IAEA will not include inspections of sites damaged during the 12-Day War. Tehran Again Denies Saudi Letter Linked to U.S. Visit: Islamic Republic Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, echoing previous days’ statements from regime officials, dismissed rumors that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent letter to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was connected to MBS’s visit to Washington. He said the message was “only bilateral” and focused on Hajj-related cooperation. Baghaei also rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran wants a deal “very badly.” Baghaei insisted there are currently no talks with Washington and accused the U.S. of “excessive demands.” Judiciary Claims Detainee Died in Hospital, Denies Mistreatment Claims: The regime’s judiciary denied reports that detainee Farzad Khoshboresh died in a prison in Sari, Mazandaran Province, saying he was hospitalized on November 16 after falling ill and died there with his family present. Foreign-based outlets described his death as “highly concerning,” alleging bruising and mistreatment and noting that he had been arrested for social media activity and protests, however, the judiciary dismissed these reports as fabrications by “hostile media.”

E3, U.S. Submit Draft Resolution to IAEA

The U.S., along with Britain, France, and Germany, have submitted a draft resolution to the IAEA Board of Governors calling for expanded Agency access to nuclear facilities in Iran. The resolution demands, “Iran must immediately provide the IAEA with accurate information regarding its inventory of nuclear materials and safeguarded facilities in Iran, and grant all necessary access for the verification of this information.” Tehran has sought to block the resolution. Pezeshkian administration spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani earlier this week said Tehran is currently unable to conduct uranium enrichment, while President Pezeshkian called on Austria’s new ambassador to “neutralize false anti-Iranian propaganda” at the IAEA. Pezeshkian described the regime’s nuclear activities as “entirely within the framework of peaceful use of nuclear energy.” Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Araghchi urged Brazil to oppose the resolution, describing it as “irresponsible, provocative, and unjustified,” and part of a broader Western political agenda. Araghchi raised similar concerns with Russian officials, arguing that the resolution undermines the IAEA’s technical credibility and neutrality. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi addressed the draft resolution, rejecting claims that the Agency requested the resolution or passed information to Israel, calling such claims “absurd,” and reaffirmed that as long as the Islamic Republic remains in the NPT, it must comply with its obligations.

On the Radar

Islamic Republic state media offered limited coverage of yesterday’s White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing instead on military and nuclear agreements. Hardline outlets dismissed Trump’s comments that Tehran “badly wants to make a deal” as “gibberish,” while other reactions largely highlighted concerns over U.S. military sales to Riyadh.
The Foreign Ministry criticized the UN Security Council’s resolution endorsing President Trump’s Gaza peace plan, warning it “violates the legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation.” State media echoed criticisms, with one outlet claiming that the deal is tantamount to “a death sentence for the two-state solution.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran’s policy is “to enhance relations with all neighbors,” following his trip to Qatar and Pakistan. He described a “very useful meeting” in Doha with Minister of State Mohammad Al Khulaifi, saying both sides were determined to deepen bilateral cooperation. In Islamabad, he met with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, with both countries agreeing to expand collaboration across political and economic channels and to maintain coordination through mechanisms such as their Joint Economic Commission and Joint Trade Committee.
Azerbaijan is in early talks to invest in Iran’s southern Shahid Rajai port, according to Ports and Maritime Organization chief Saeed Rasouli. He said an Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Sahin Mustafayev visited the port and discussed expanding cooperation, noting that both countries’ roles in the International North–South Transport Corridor create strong “conditions for expanding” joint projects.