Iran announces the construction of a new uranium enrichment facility despite condemnation from the International Agency.

Iran announced on Thursday, June 12, its plans to build a new uranium enrichment facility in defiance of the International Atomic Energy Agency's condemnation of its non-compliance with nuclear commitments. Tehran confirmed that the facility will be constructed at a "secure site," hinting at "other measures being planned and to be announced later."

This comes as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized that his country's nuclear policy is based on the directives of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, asserting that Tehran "will not yield to pressure." Raisi, during his visit to Ilam province in western Iran, stated: "We will never accept reducing our research to zero, then waiting for their approval to obtain the necessary nuclear materials for industry, medicine, agriculture, and other sciences."

The Iranian President further added in a meeting with political and social figures: "Who says we should not be allowed to conduct scientific research? What are they doing to order us to completely dismantle our nuclear industry?"

Raisi also referred to Iran's historical experience in missile development, saying: "In the past, when our scientists and elites made missiles, Saddam (Hussein) could no longer bombard our cities. He used to bombard us every day before we possessed them, and when we made the missiles, he could no longer bombard us."

On another note, a senior Iranian official revealed to Reuters that Iran will not abandon its right to uranium enrichment despite the recent escalation in the region. The official mentioned that a "friendly" country warned Tehran of a possible military strike, considering this escalation as an attempt to "influence Iran's nuclear stance" before the upcoming talks with the United States next Sunday in the Sultanate of Oman.