Iran Says It Might Resume US Atomic Talks if Handled with 'Respect' and 'Honor'
Tehran is ready to reinitiate nuclear negotiations with the United States provided that it is approached with "respect" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has announced.
Abbas Araghchi declared only diplomacy was effective, and revealed fresh requests had originated from mediators to resume discussions with the American leadership. He said Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Iran could not yet authorize the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect attacked atomic facilities for protective measures.
Navigating a Complex Course
The foreign minister is walking a difficult path since Iran wishes not to be seen to be operating from a position of weakness, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out stronger in military terms and mentally from the coordinated strike on its nuclear sites in June.
He was talking at a security conference in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an absolute privilege to enrich uranium within its borders that it will never give up" – the main reason of the impasse in the earlier negotiations.
Prior Negotiations Unexpectedly Ended
The earlier sessions of negotiations between the US and Iran were brought to an abrupt and hostile termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with American backing, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a 12-day war that ended with Donald Trump declaring the facilities had been obliterated. Following this, European countries employed their right to restore international penalties, but Iran asserts they have not had a major impact.
Magic Solution Suggested
Iran's diplomats claimed they felt they had reached a "ideal resolution" to the nuclear fuel concern in previous talks, when it was agreed an domestic cooperative with US participation could enrich uranium. Each party would have been able to claim victory since local refinement would have remained and the US could be certain that Iran's atomic project was entirely non-military.
It had not been decided in the talks that Washington's technical specialists could function within Iranian territory, but that was a reasonable assumption of the cooperative offer. Officials claimed repeatedly they had achieved a deal with Washington's diplomat Steve Witkoff only for the arrangement to disintegrate due to "opponents in the US".
Existing Situation
Iranian officials stated the consortium offer was now no longer available, but it seems highly likely the offer could be revived in various formats if negotiations reopen.
The US president last week stated he had been obtaining communications that Iran sought to resume discussions, but privately Iran's diplomats say they are not yet obtaining consistent overtures from Washington either directly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been charged of non-responsiveness in the wake of the US president's straightforward manner, but Tehran says negotiations is not part of a performance.
Political Position
In his remarks to the gathering, aimed to paint the US as a dominant force that abuses the idea of international law, the foreign minister said the 12-day war demonstrated the dispute could not be ended by combat operations. He said the attacks began with a American requirement for an complete Tehran capitulation and concluded with an complete request for a truce.
Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were mounted with total Washington understanding and collaboration, making faith difficult to reestablish.
Dialogue Stays the Final Resolution
The foreign minister declared: "Tehran was not the one that had fled dialogue; it was the United States and the Western nations that had always tried to dictate their will during the negotiations. Negotiations can still be viable and stays the ultimate answer to address disputes, but its requirements, rules and tenets must be respected."
"In case they speak to the Iranian people with the tone of dignity and respect, they will get a answer in the same tone."
Repair and Rebuilding
In what is portrayed by Iranian officials as the battle of recovery and reconstruction, Araghchi stated he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are much stronger than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been reestablished. We acquired numerous insights from this engagement; we have come to know our internal vulnerabilities and the vulnerabilities of the opponent."
He continued: "We effectively endured this conflict. Our atomic expertise, which they aimed to destroy, stays intact. The installations and gear, if eliminated, will be restored; what is important is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the national cohesion that they targeted, but did not succeed to shatter. The citizens of Tehran have grown more resilient, more united, and more endorsing of the leadership and the country in the aftermath of this invasion."