Iran States It Could Rejoin American Nuclear Discussions if Handled with 'Dignity' and 'Respect'
Tehran is prepared to resume atomic negotiations with Washington as long as it is treated with "dignity" and "honor", Iran's foreign minister has stated.
The Iranian diplomat declared solely negotiations was effective, and disclosed recent overtures had been made by intermediaries to resume discussions with the American leadership. He said Iran did not have secret atomic facilities, and Iran was not yet able to allow the global atomic watchdog to access attacked atomic facilities for safety concerns.
Walking a Complex Course
Araghchi is walking a complex path since Iran aims to avoid be perceived to be acting from a stance of weakness, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had emerged more powerful defensively and mentally from the coordinated strike on its enrichment centers in June.
He was speaking at a security conference in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "an inalienable right to enrich uranium domestically that it will never give up" – the primary cause of the impasse in the prior discussions.
Prior Talks Unexpectedly Concluded
The earlier sessions of discussions between the United States and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and bitter termination on 12 June when Israel, with American backing, struck Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war that concluded with the US president claiming the facilities had been eliminated. Subsequently, European countries employed their authority to reimpose international penalties, but Iran maintains they have not had a significant effect.
Magic Solution Proposed
Iran's diplomats said they felt they had achieved a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in prior discussions, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with US participation could enrich uranium. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since home-based processing would have persisted and the US could be certain that Iran's nuclear programme was solely for peaceful purposes.
It had not been decided in the negotiations that American atomic experts could work on Iranian soil, but that was a logical implication of the cooperative offer. Representatives stated repeatedly they had achieved a deal with the US representative Steve Witkoff only for the agreement to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".
Existing Position
Iran's diplomats said the partnership proposal was now no longer available, but it seems highly likely the proposal could be resurrected in some form if discussions reopen.
Trump in recent days stated he had been obtaining communications that Iran wanted to reopen negotiations, but confidentially Iranian officials claim they are not yet receiving coherent offers from the United States either straightforwardly or from significant local go-betweens, such as Qatar, Egypt, the Omani authorities and the Saudi kingdom. The Iranian foreign ministry has been accused of inactivity in the wake of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Iran states dialogue is not part of a performance.
Negotiating Standpoint
In his address to the gathering, intended to portray the US as a dominant force that misuses the notion of international law, Araghchi stated the fortnight-long engagement showed the dispute could not be ended by armed force. He said the attacks began with a US demand for an complete Tehran capitulation and concluded with an unconditional call for a ceasefire.
Iran is assured the first strikes by Israel were mounted with complete American awareness and coordination, making confidence hard to rebuild.
Dialogue Continues the Final Answer
Araghchi stated: "Tehran was not the one that had abandoned diplomacy; it was the United States and the Western nations that had always attempted to dictate their desires during the talks. Negotiations can still be active and stays the primary answer to resolve conflicts, but its standards, guidelines and principles must be respected."
"If they speak to the Iranian people with the tone of respect and honor, they will obtain a response in the equivalent tone."
Recovery and Rebuilding
In what is characterized by Iran's diplomats as the conflict of restoration and rebuilding, the foreign minister said he was certain Iran's security strengths "are considerably enhanced than preceding 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been restored. We acquired many lessons from this conflict; we have discovered our own weaknesses and the weaknesses of the adversary."
He continued: "We successfully passed this engagement. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to obliterate, continues to exist. The installations and gear, if damaged, will be restored; what is essential is the will of the Iranian people and then the social solidarity that they aimed at, but were unable to shatter. The nation of Iran have become more resilient, more cohesive, and more endorsing of the administration and the nation in the wake of this assault."