Iran States It Might Return to US Atomic Discussions if Treated with 'Dignity' and 'Respect'
Iran is willing to resume atomic discussions with Washington on condition that it is approached with "respect" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has declared.
The Iranian diplomat said only diplomacy worked, and shared fresh requests had been made by go-betweens to restart discussions with the American leadership. He asserted Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Iran was not yet able to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit attacked atomic facilities for protective measures.
Navigating a Difficult Path
The foreign minister is walking a complex path since Iran does not want appear to be proceeding from a stance of weakness, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had emerged more powerful defensively and mentally from the Israeli-US attack on its nuclear sites in June.
He was speaking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to enrich uranium within its borders that it will always maintain" – the key factor of the stalemate in the previous talks.
Earlier Negotiations Unexpectedly Terminated
The previous five rounds of negotiations between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and acrimonious termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, attacked Tehran's atomic facilities in a two-week conflict that culminated with Donald Trump claiming the sites had been destroyed. Following this, Western states exercised their right to reinstate global restrictions, but Iran maintains they have not had a major impact.
Perfect Agreement Suggested
Iranian officials stated they felt they had attained a "magic solution" to the uranium processing matter in prior discussions, when it was settled an Iran-based consortium with US participation could process nuclear material. The two nations would have been able to assert triumph since local refinement would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's enrichment initiative was entirely non-military.
It had not been settled in the talks that American atomic experts could operate within Iranian territory, but that was a reasonable assumption of the consortium proposal. Representatives stated on multiple occasions they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat Steve Witkoff only for the agreement to collapse due to "spoilers in Washington".
Existing Situation
Iranian officials declared the cooperative arrangement was now withdrawn, but it seems highly likely the suggestion could be reintroduced in certain ways if talks resume.
The US president in recent days stated he had been getting signals that Iran sought to reopen negotiations, but privately Tehran representatives state they are not yet receiving clear proposals from America either directly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, the Omani authorities and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been criticized of non-responsiveness in the wake of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Tehran says dialogue is not part of a show.
Negotiating Stance
In his remarks to the forum, intended to portray the US as a controlling nation that abuses the notion of international law, the foreign minister stated the two-week conflict demonstrated the dispute could not be resolved by armed force. He stated the strikes started with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and culminated with an complete request for a ceasefire.
Iran is certain the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were mounted with full US knowledge and coordination, making confidence challenging to restore.
Negotiations Stays the Ultimate Resolution
Araghchi stated: "It was not Iran that had deserted negotiations; it was the United States and the Western nations that had consistently attempted to impose their desires during the negotiations. Negotiations can still be alive and continues the ultimate answer to settle conflicts, but its criteria, guidelines and fundamentals must be respected."
"Provided that they address to the Iranian people with the tone of respect and respect, they will get a reply in the same tone."
Repair and Rebuilding
In what is characterized by Tehran representatives as the conflict of recovery and reconstruction, the foreign minister said he was certain Iran's security strengths "have significantly improved than before 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been restored. We acquired many lessons from this war; we have discovered our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the adversary."
He added: "We managed to survive this engagement. Our enrichment knowledge, which they aimed to obliterate, continues to exist. The installations and machinery, if eliminated, will be restored; what is important is the determination of the citizens of Tehran and then the unity of the country that they sought to undermine, but did not succeed to shatter. The Iranian people have grown more resilient, more united, and more backing of the leadership and the state in the face of this attack."