Tehran Declares It Might Rejoin US Atomic Discussions if Handled with 'Dignity' and 'Honor'
Iran is ready to reinitiate nuclear talks with the United States provided that it is approached with "respect" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has announced.
Abbas Araghchi stated exclusively dialogue produced results, and revealed new appeals had come from mediators to resume negotiations with the Trump administration. He asserted Iran had zero secret atomic facilities, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to allow the global atomic watchdog to visit bombed nuclear sites for security reasons.
Walking a Difficult Route
The foreign minister is navigating a difficult course since Iran aims to avoid be seen to be operating from a stance of vulnerability, and he emphatically stated that Iran had come out stronger in military terms and emotionally from the coordinated strike on its enrichment centers in June.
He was speaking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "an absolute privilege to refine atomic fuel domestically that it will never give up" – the key factor of the deadlock in the prior discussions.
Earlier Discussions Unexpectedly Ended
The prior phases of negotiations between the US and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and hostile conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, targeted Iran's enrichment centers in a two-week conflict that ended with the American leader asserting the sites had been destroyed. Afterward, EU nations used their authority to reinstate international penalties, but Iran asserts they have not had a significant effect.
Magic Solution Suggested
Iran's diplomats stated they felt they had achieved a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was decided an Iran-based consortium with Washington's engagement could refine atomic fuel. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since home-based processing would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's nuclear programme was solely for peaceful purposes.
It had not been decided in the discussions that US nuclear scientists could work inside Iran, but that was a natural consequence of the partnership suggestion. Officials claimed on multiple occasions they had reached agreement with the US representative the American negotiator only for the agreement to fall apart due to "spoilers in Washington".
Current Situation
Iranian officials said the consortium offer was now no longer available, but it seems very probable the offer could be reintroduced in some form if talks resume.
The US president last week said he had been receiving messages that Iran wanted to reopen negotiations, but confidentially Tehran representatives say they are not yet obtaining clear proposals from America either explicitly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been accused of inactivity in the face of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran asserts diplomacy is not part of a performance.
Negotiating Standpoint
In his address to the gathering, aimed to paint the US as a hegemonic power that misuses the idea of worldwide standards, Araghchi stated the two-week conflict revealed the conflict could not be resolved by combat operations. He said the assaults commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an unconditional call for a halt to hostilities.
Iran is certain the first strikes by Israel were carried out with total Washington understanding and coordination, making faith challenging to reestablish.
Dialogue Continues the Final Solution
The foreign minister declared: "It was not Iran that had fled diplomacy; it was the United States and the western countries that had consistently sought to impose their demands during the talks. Dialogue can still be alive and remains the final answer to resolve disagreements, but its requirements, regulations and principles must be respected."
"Provided that they talk to the Iranian people with the approach of dignity and honor, they will obtain a answer in the equivalent tone."
Restoration and Rebuilding
In what is described by Iran's diplomats 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 rebuilt. We learned multiple understandings from this engagement; we have come to know our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the opponent."
He added: "We successfully passed this engagement. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to eliminate, remains in place. The installations and gear, if destroyed, will be rebuilt; what is important is the resolve of the Iranian people and then the unity of the country that they targeted, but failed to break. The Iranian people have become stronger, more cohesive, and more endorsing of the leadership and the nation in the wake of this invasion."