Iran vows to rebuild nuclear sites 'stronger than before'

TEHRAN: Iran said on Sunday that it would rebuild nuclear sites damaged by Israeli and US strikes 'stronger than before'. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a visit to the country's nuclear organisation, said Tehran 'will build (the destroyed sites) stronger than before'. 'By destroying buildings... we will not be set back,' he said in a video posted to his official website, adding that Iranian scientists still had the necessary nuclear know-how. Pezeshkian did not elaborate. In similar remarks in February before the strikes, he said Tehran would rebuild its sites if they came under attack.
Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran in June, kicking off a 12-day war that saw it target nuclear and military facilities - as well as residential areas - and kill many top scientists. Iran retaliated with ballistic missile barrages aimed at Israeli cities. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in July, after the United States announced a halt in fighting, that the damage in Iran was 'serious and severe'.
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Sunday that Tehran 'has received messages' on resuming diplomacy, without providing further details. Iran has faced the return of UN sanctions after Britain, Germany and France triggered the 'snapback' mechanism over Tehran's alleged non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. — AFP