Iran’s Araghchi says US talks made ‘good start,’ next steps depend on capitals

Iran has moved quickly to repair ballistic missile facilities damaged in strikes last year, while reconstruction at major nuclear sites has been slower and more limited, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing satellite imagery analysis.

The newspaper said the uneven pace suggests missile production has been a short-term priority. “Threatening Israel and US bases and allies in the region with missile attacks is one of Iran’s few options to deter repeat strikes on its nuclear facilities,” John P. Caves III, an expert at the US National Defense University, told the Times.

By contrast, experts said Iran’s main nuclear enrichment sites remain largely inoperative. “We haven’t seen any intensive recovery efforts to try to get equipment out of these facilities,” Joseph Rodgers of the Center for Strategic and International Studies was quoted as saying.

David Albright, head of the Institute for Science and International Security, said recent activity near nuclear sites was raising concern but added: “We don’t think it is urgent or imminent by any means.”

Ahmad Khatami, a senior Iranian cleric, said Iran would continue uranium enrichment and dismissed international calls to suspend the program as “irrelevant.”

Ahmad Khatami, a Tehran Friday prayer lmam, said Iran did not seek nuclear energy to build an atomic bomb and was not afraid of the United States.

“Iran does not want nuclear energy for an atomic bomb,” Khatami said, adding that calls for a voluntary suspension of enrichment were “an irrelevant statement.”

He said Iran’s opposition to nuclear weapons was based on religious principles, while insisting the country would not give up its nuclear program.

Iranian security forces ran armored vehicles over protesters in at least three areas of the northwestern city of Ardabil on Jan. 9, killing one woman and seriously injuring three others, according to information received by Iran International.

Earlier this week, Iran International published a video showing an armored vehicle driving over protesters in Yahyavi Square.

Iran’s delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to talks with the United States to begin a second round of negotiations, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.

IRNA said Araghchi had presented Iran’s initial proposal to Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi during the first round, which was then conveyed to US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The agency said the US side had reviewed Iran’s views and the second round was starting as scheduled.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have deployed the Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile in underground missile facilities, a move a senior Guards commander said carried a clear message even as Tehran entered talks with the United States.

Majid Mousavi, commander of the Guards’ aerospace force, attended an event unveiling a new underground “missile city” where the Khorramshahr-4 was displayed, Iranian media reported. The display took place hours before indirect Iran-US talks began in Muscat.

State-run Press TV said the Khorramshahr-4, described as one of Iran’s most advanced long-range ballistic missiles, has a range of about 2,000 km and can carry a 1,500-kg warhead. It said the missile has been deployed at one of the aerospace force’s underground facilities.

Iranian state media said the deployment coincided with what they described as a shift in Iran’s military doctrine from defensive to offensive and was intended to send a message to regional and extra-regional adversaries.

In a separate interview carried by state-linked media, Guards political deputy Yadollah Javani said the missile display showed Iran would not give up its military strength while pursuing diplomacy.

“We are not seeking war, but if the other side makes a mistake, we will respond decisively,” Javani was quoted as saying.

The display came as the Trump administration has moved additional military assets to the Middle East in recent weeks.