Tehran Says It Might Return to US Nuclear Talks if Approached with 'Dignity' and 'Honor'
Iran is willing to reinitiate atomic talks with the United States as long as it is handled with "respect" and "respect", Iran's top diplomat has declared.
The Iranian diplomat stated only diplomacy was effective, and shared recent overtures had originated from intermediaries to resume discussions with the US government. He said Iran did not have undeclared nuclear sites, and Iran had not yet reached a point to allow the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit attacked atomic facilities for protective measures.
Navigating a Difficult Route
Araghchi is walking a complex path since Iran aims to avoid be perceived to be proceeding from a position of vulnerability, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out more resilient militarily and mentally from the joint assault on its nuclear sites in June.
He was talking at a security conference in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel on home soil that it will always maintain" – the main reason of the impasse in the previous talks.
Earlier Discussions Abruptly Ended
The earlier sessions of negotiations between the United States and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and hostile termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with American backing, attacked Iranian nuclear sites in a two-week conflict that culminated with the American leader declaring the facilities had been eliminated. Following this, Western states employed their right to reinstate international penalties, but Iran asserts they have not had a major impact.
Ideal Resolution Suggested
Tehran representatives claimed they felt they had achieved a "magic solution" to the uranium processing matter in previous talks, when it was settled an local partnership with American involvement could process nuclear material. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since home-based processing would have persisted and the US could be assured that Iran's enrichment initiative was entirely non-military.
It had not been agreed in the negotiations that American atomic experts could function on Iranian soil, but that was a natural consequence of the partnership suggestion. Officials claimed repeatedly they had achieved a deal with the US representative Steve Witkoff only for the arrangement to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".
Present Status
Iran's diplomats said the cooperative arrangement was now withdrawn, but it seems quite possible the proposal could be resurrected in certain ways if negotiations reopen.
Trump in recent days claimed he had been receiving messages that Iran desired to reopen negotiations, but privately Iranian officials state they are not yet receiving clear proposals from Washington either straightforwardly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as the Qatari government, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been accused of passivity in the face of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran states dialogue is not part of a performance.
Negotiating Stance
In his remarks to the forum, aimed to paint the US as a controlling nation that exploits the concept of global regulations, Araghchi declared the fortnight-long engagement showed the clash could not be settled by military means. He asserted the attacks started with a Washington's ultimatum for an complete Tehran capitulation and culminated with an complete request for a halt to hostilities.
Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were executed with total Washington understanding and coordination, making faith difficult to rebuild.
Diplomacy Continues the Primary Solution
Araghchi declared: "It was not Iran that had deserted dialogue; it was America and the western countries that had always attempted to impose their will during the negotiations. Dialogue can still be active and remains the final resolution to settle disputes, but its criteria, guidelines and principles must be followed."
"Provided that they address to the Iranian people with the language of respect and honor, they will obtain a reply in the equivalent tone."
Repair and Rebuilding
In what is described by Iranian officials as the struggle of restoration and reconstruction, Araghchi said he was certain Iran's military capacities "have significantly improved than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been restored. We acquired many lessons from this war; we have come to know our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the adversary."
He continued: "We managed to survive this conflict. Our enrichment knowledge, which they planned to eliminate, continues to exist. The installations and gear, if damaged, will be reconstructed; what is important is the resolve of the Iranian people and then the unity of the country that they sought to undermine, but failed to shatter. The nation of Iran have become stronger, more integrated, and more endorsing of the government and the state in the wake of this attack."