‘Deeply ideological’: the rationale behind Iran’s insistence on uranium enrichment

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editorJanuary 30, 2026 at 04:31 PM

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long article 5 min

Negotiations between the US and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program are complicated by Iran's insistence on uranium enrichment. While Iran's nuclear ambitions date back to the 1970s, the current government views uranium enrichment as a matter of national sovereignty and prestige. Despite the economic consequences of US sanctions and political instability, Iran's leaders maintain that they have a right to enrich uranium under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Some experts argue that Iran's attachment to nuclear enrichment is deeply ideological and serves a political purpose, highlighting perceived unfairness from the West. This stance makes finding a compromise difficult, as Iran prioritizes the principle of domestic uranium enrichment, even at a significant economic cost.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

St Andrews University 30% Tony Benn 35% Ali Ansari 35% UK 40% Ali Khamenei 50% Abbas Araghchi 60% United States ×385% Iran ×1195%

Keywords

uranium enrichment 100% iran 90% nuclear program 80% ideology 70% national sovereignty 70% nationalism 60% us sanctions 60% nuclear non-proliferation treaty 50% political instability 50% economic misery 40%