Tehran Says It Could Return to US Atomic Negotiations if Treated with 'Dignity' and 'Respect'
Tehran is willing to reinitiate atomic negotiations with Washington on condition that it is treated with "dignity" and "honor", Tehran's top diplomat has declared.
The Iranian diplomat said exclusively dialogue worked, and disclosed fresh requests had been made by intermediaries to reopen discussions with the US government. He claimed Iran did not have unreported enrichment locations, and Iran was not yet able to authorize the global atomic watchdog to visit attacked atomic facilities for security reasons.
Navigating a Complex Path
Araghchi is treading a difficult route since Iran aims to avoid be seen to be proceeding from a situation of weakness, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged more resilient militarily and emotionally from the joint assault on its nuclear sites in June.
He was addressing at a security conference in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an inalienable right to enrich uranium within its borders that it will never give up" ā the main reason of the impasse in the prior discussions.
Prior Negotiations Unexpectedly Terminated
The previous five rounds of discussions between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and hostile conclusion on 12 June when Israel, with American backing, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a two-week conflict that culminated with Donald Trump declaring the locations had been eliminated. Following this, European countries employed their privilege to reinstate international penalties, but Iran maintains they have not had a significant effect.
Ideal Resolution Proposed
Iranian officials stated they felt they had reached a "ideal resolution" to the uranium processing matter in prior discussions, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with American involvement could process nuclear material. 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 enrichment initiative was entirely non-military.
It had not been decided in the talks that US nuclear scientists could operate within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Representatives stated repeatedly they had achieved a deal with the US representative Steve Witkoff only for the deal to collapse due to "opponents in the US".
Existing Status
Iran's diplomats said the partnership proposal was now off the table, but it seems quite possible the proposal could be revived in some form if negotiations reopen.
The American leader last week stated he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to restart talks, but confidentially Iranian officials claim they are not yet receiving coherent offers from Washington either explicitly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been accused of inactivity in the face of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Iran asserts negotiations is not part of a show.
Diplomatic Standpoint
In his remarks to the forum, designed to paint the US as a hegemonic power that misuses the notion of worldwide standards, the foreign minister declared the fortnight-long engagement revealed the clash could not be ended by combat operations. He asserted the strikes started with a Washington's ultimatum for an complete Tehran capitulation and concluded with an absolute demand for a halt to hostilities.
Iran is certain the first strikes by Israel were mounted with full US knowledge and coordination, making confidence difficult to reestablish.
Negotiations Remains the Ultimate Solution
Araghchi declared: "Tehran was not the one that had deserted negotiations; it was the United States and the European states that had repeatedly tried to dictate their desires during the negotiations. Dialogue can still be alive and continues the final answer to resolve disputes, but its standards, guidelines and principles must be followed."
"In case they address to the nation of Iran with the approach of respect and respect, they will obtain a response in the same approach."
Restoration and Reconstruction
In what is described by Tehran representatives as the conflict of restoration and reconstruction, Araghchi claimed he was assured Iran's military capacities "are much stronger than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been reestablished. We learned many lessons from this war; we have come to know our internal vulnerabilities and the shortcomings of the opponent."
He added: "We managed to survive this engagement. Our enrichment knowledge, which they planned to eliminate, continues to exist. The sites and gear, if eliminated, will be rebuilt; what is crucial is the resolve of the citizens of Tehran and then the social solidarity that they targeted, but were unable to break. The Iranian people have become more powerful, more united, and more supportive of the administration and the state in the face of this attack."