🔗 Share this article

Iran is prepared to reinitiate nuclear discussions with Washington as long as it is treated with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has stated.

The Iranian diplomat said exclusively dialogue produced results, and disclosed recent overtures had been made by intermediaries to restart negotiations with the Trump administration. He claimed Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to access struck enrichment centers for security reasons.

Navigating a Difficult Route

The foreign minister is walking a complex route since Iran aims to avoid be perceived to be acting from a stance of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out more powerful militarily and mentally from the joint assault on its nuclear sites in June.

He was speaking at a security conference in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an inalienable right to refine atomic fuel on home soil that it will never give up" – the primary cause of the deadlock in the earlier negotiations.

Previous Discussions Unexpectedly Concluded

The prior phases of negotiations between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and acrimonious conclusion on 12 June when Israel, with Washington's assistance, targeted Iran's enrichment centers in a fortnight-long engagement that ended with the American leader claiming the facilities had been destroyed. Subsequently, EU nations employed their right to restore UN-wide sanctions, but Iran maintains they have not had a major impact.

Magic Solution Offered

Iran's diplomats claimed they felt they had attained a "perfect agreement" to the enrichment issue in prior discussions, when it was decided an domestic cooperative with American involvement could process nuclear material. The two nations would have been able to claim victory since home-based processing would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's atomic project was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been decided in the negotiations that US nuclear scientists could work within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the cooperative offer. Officials asserted on multiple occasions they had achieved a deal with the US representative the US official only for the arrangement to fall apart due to "detractors in America".

Existing Situation

Iranian officials stated the consortium offer was now withdrawn, but it seems quite possible the proposal could be revived in some form if discussions restart.

The American leader in recent days said he had been getting signals that Iran sought to restart talks, but confidentially Tehran representatives say they are not yet getting clear proposals from the United States either straightforwardly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and the Saudi kingdom. The Iranian foreign ministry has been criticized of inactivity in the aftermath of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran asserts negotiations is not part of a performance.

Political Position

In his remarks to the conference, designed to portray the US as a controlling nation that exploits the idea of international law, Araghchi stated the two-week conflict showed the clash could not be resolved by military means. He stated the attacks began with a US demand for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an complete request for a halt to hostilities.

Iran is certain the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were mounted with total Washington understanding and collaboration, making faith difficult to reestablish.

Negotiations Continues the Ultimate Answer

The foreign minister declared: "Tehran was not the one that had deserted diplomacy; it was America and the western countries that had consistently tried to enforce their desires during the negotiations. Negotiations can still be active and continues the ultimate resolution to settle disagreements, but its standards, rules and fundamentals must be respected."

"If they address to the Iranian people with the language of respect and honor, they will obtain a answer in the identical approach."

Repair and Reconstruction

In what is portrayed by Iran's diplomats as the battle of recovery and rebuilding, Araghchi stated he was assured Iran's military capacities "are considerably enhanced than preceding 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been reestablished. We learned many lessons from this war; we have come to know our internal vulnerabilities and the shortcomings of the enemy."

He added: "We managed to survive this conflict. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to obliterate, remains in place. The sites and gear, if eliminated, will be reconstructed; what is essential is the resolve of the citizens of Tehran and then the social solidarity that they aimed at, but were unable to break. The nation of Iran have grown more powerful, more united, and more backing of the leadership and the country in the wake of this assault."