Iran Declares It Might Resume US Nuclear Negotiations if Handled with 'Respect' and 'Honor'
Tehran is ready to resume nuclear discussions with Washington provided that it is treated with "dignity" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has announced.
Abbas Araghchi declared exclusively dialogue produced results, and revealed recent overtures had been made by mediators to resume talks with the Trump administration. He claimed Iran possessed no undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran could not yet allow the global atomic watchdog to inspect attacked atomic facilities for protective measures.
Walking a Difficult Route
Araghchi is walking a complex path since Iran does not want appear to be operating from a position of weakness, and he consistently maintained that Iran had come out more resilient in military terms and mentally from the joint assault on its atomic facilities in June.
He was addressing at a security conference in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "an inalienable right to process nuclear material on home soil that it will perpetually retain" – the main reason of the impasse in the earlier negotiations.
Previous Talks Suddenly Ended
The previous five rounds of negotiations between the US and Iran were ended suddenly and bitter termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with American backing, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a two-week conflict that culminated with the American leader claiming the sites had been destroyed. Afterward, Western states used their right to reimpose global restrictions, but Iran insists they have not had a major impact.
Perfect Agreement Offered
Tehran representatives stated they felt they had reached a "magic solution" to the enrichment issue in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an domestic cooperative with Washington's engagement could enrich uranium. The two nations would have been able to claim victory since local refinement would have continued and the US could be confident that Iran's nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful.
It had not been decided in the talks that Washington's technical specialists could function on Iranian soil, but that was a reasonable assumption of the consortium proposal. Representatives asserted three times they had secured an understanding with the US representative Steve Witkoff only for the deal to collapse due to "opponents in the US".
Present Position
Iran's diplomats declared the consortium offer was now no longer available, but it seems highly likely the proposal could be revived in various formats if negotiations resume.
The American leader recently stated he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to restart talks, but privately Tehran representatives state they are not yet obtaining coherent offers from Washington either directly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been accused of inactivity in the wake of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran states diplomacy is not part of a spectacle.
Negotiating Position
In his remarks to the forum, intended to depict the US as a dominant force that abuses the notion of global regulations, the foreign minister stated the two-week conflict revealed the conflict could not be ended by armed force. He said the attacks commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and culminated with an unconditional call for a halt to hostilities.
Iran is certain the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were carried out with complete American awareness and coordination, making confidence difficult to restore.
Dialogue Continues the Ultimate Solution
Araghchi stated: "It was not Iran that had deserted negotiations; it was America and the Western nations that had always sought to enforce their demands during the discussions. Diplomacy can still be active and remains the primary solution to settle disputes, but its standards, regulations and principles must be adhered to."
"In case they address to the nation of Iran with the approach of dignity and honor, they will get a response in the same approach."
Recovery and Rebuilding
In what is characterized by Iranian officials as the conflict of restoration and recovery, Araghchi claimed he was assured 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 many lessons from this war; we have come to know our own weaknesses and the weaknesses of the adversary."
He continued: "We effectively endured this war. Our atomic expertise, which they aimed to obliterate, stays intact. The sites and gear, if eliminated, will be restored; what is crucial is the resolve of the Iranian people and then the social solidarity that they targeted, but were unable to shatter. The Iranian people have developed more powerful, more united, and more backing of the administration and the nation in the wake of this invasion."