Tehran States It Might Rejoin US Nuclear Talks if Treated with 'Dignity' and 'Respect'
Tehran is ready to restart nuclear talks with the United States on condition that it is treated with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's foreign minister has stated.
The Iranian diplomat said only diplomacy worked, and shared recent overtures had originated from go-betweens to resume discussions with the American leadership. He said Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran was not yet able to allow the global atomic watchdog to inspect attacked atomic facilities for safety concerns.
Walking a Complex Course
Araghchi is navigating a challenging course since Iran wishes not to be perceived to be operating from a stance of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out more resilient in military terms and psychologically from the joint assault on its nuclear sites in June.
He was talking at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "an absolute privilege to enrich uranium domestically that it will never give up" – the primary cause of the deadlock in the previous talks.
Earlier Discussions Unexpectedly Ended
The earlier sessions of discussions between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and bitter conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a 12-day war that culminated with Donald Trump declaring the sites had been destroyed. Following this, EU nations exercised their right to reimpose UN-wide sanctions, but Iran asserts they have not had a major impact.
Ideal Resolution Offered
Iran's diplomats stated they felt they had achieved a "perfect agreement" to the enrichment issue in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an local partnership with US participation could enrich uranium. Each party would have been able to declare success since local refinement would have continued and the US could be confident that Iran's atomic project was entirely non-military.
It had not been settled in the talks that Washington's technical specialists could work within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Representatives claimed repeatedly they had achieved a deal with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff only for the deal to fall apart due to "detractors in America".
Current Status
Iran's diplomats said the partnership proposal was now no longer available, but it seems quite possible the proposal could be revived in certain ways if talks restart.
The American leader last week said he had been getting signals that Iran wanted to reopen negotiations, but privately Tehran representatives say they are not yet receiving clear proposals from America either straightforwardly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been accused of passivity in the aftermath of the US president's straightforward manner, but Tehran says dialogue is not part of a performance.
Diplomatic Standpoint
In his speech to the conference, aimed to depict the US as a hegemonic power that misuses the notion of global regulations, the foreign minister stated the 12-day war showed the dispute could not be resolved by armed force. He stated the strikes commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and concluded with an absolute demand for a halt to hostilities.
Iran is assured the initial Israeli attacks were carried out with complete American awareness and coordination, making faith hard to restore.
Negotiations Stays the Ultimate Resolution
Araghchi said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned negotiations; it was the United States and the European states that had consistently attempted to dictate their demands during the negotiations. Negotiations can still be active and stays the ultimate answer to address disputes, but its criteria, regulations and principles must be adhered to."
"Provided that they address to the Iranian people with the tone of respect and respect, they will receive a answer in the identical approach."
Recovery and Recovery
In what is portrayed by Iranian officials as the struggle of restoration and rebuilding, Araghchi stated he was confident Iran's security strengths "have significantly improved than before 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been restored. We acquired many lessons from this engagement; we have come to know our own weaknesses and the vulnerabilities of the opponent."
He continued: "We effectively endured this engagement. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to eliminate, stays intact. The facilities and gear, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is important is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the unity of the country that they targeted, but were unable to destroy. The citizens of Tehran have become more powerful, more integrated, and more supportive of the government and the state in the aftermath of this assault."