Tehran Says It Could Return to US Atomic Negotiations if Treated with 'Dignity' and 'Honor'
Iran is willing to restart nuclear negotiations with Washington provided that it is treated with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's foreign minister has stated.
The Iranian diplomat said only diplomacy produced results, and disclosed fresh requests had originated from go-betweens to resume discussions with the American leadership. He claimed Iran had zero unreported enrichment locations, and Iran could not yet allow the global atomic watchdog to access attacked atomic facilities for security reasons.
Navigating a Challenging Course
Araghchi is navigating a difficult course since Iran aims to avoid be perceived to be proceeding from a position of disadvantage, and he consistently maintained that Iran had come out more powerful in military terms and psychologically from the joint assault on its atomic facilities in June.
He was speaking at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "an absolute privilege to enrich uranium on home soil that it will perpetually retain" – the primary cause of the impasse in the prior discussions.
Prior Talks Suddenly Terminated
The prior phases of talks between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and bitter end on 12 June when Israel, with American backing, targeted Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war that ended with Donald Trump asserting the facilities had been obliterated. Afterward, EU nations exercised their privilege to reinstate UN-wide sanctions, but Iran insists they have not had a significant effect.
Perfect Agreement Suggested
Iran's diplomats claimed they felt they had achieved a "perfect agreement" to the nuclear fuel concern in prior discussions, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with Washington's engagement could enrich uranium. The two nations would have been able to claim victory since local refinement would have remained and the US could be certain that Iran's enrichment initiative was solely for peaceful purposes.
It had not been decided in the discussions that US nuclear scientists could operate inside Iran, but that was a reasonable assumption of the partnership suggestion. Representatives asserted repeatedly they had reached agreement with the US representative the American negotiator only for the deal to disintegrate due to "opponents in the US".
Present Situation
Tehran representatives declared the partnership proposal was now no longer available, but it seems highly likely the proposal could be reintroduced in some form if talks resume.
Trump recently stated he had been getting signals that Iran sought to resume discussions, but confidentially Iranian officials state they are not yet receiving clear proposals from the United States either straightforwardly or from key regional mediators, such as Qatar, Egypt, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iranian foreign ministry has been accused of inactivity in the face of the US president's straightforward manner, but Tehran says diplomacy is not part of a performance.
Diplomatic Position
In his remarks to the gathering, intended to portray the US as a controlling nation that exploits the concept of global regulations, Araghchi stated the 12-day war demonstrated the conflict could not be ended by military means. He said the strikes started with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and ended with an complete request for a truce.
Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were executed with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making faith hard to rebuild.
Dialogue Stays the Primary Answer
Araghchi stated: "Tehran was not the one that had deserted dialogue; it was America and the Western nations that had always tried to dictate their desires during the negotiations. Dialogue can still be alive and remains the final resolution to resolve disputes, but its requirements, regulations and fundamentals must be followed."
"Provided that they address to the citizens of Tehran with the tone of respect and respect, they will obtain a answer in the equivalent tone."
Restoration and Rebuilding
In what is portrayed by Iran's diplomats as the battle of repair and reconstruction, Araghchi claimed he was assured Iran's defence capabilities "are considerably enhanced than before 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been restored. We acquired multiple understandings from this engagement; we have discovered our own weaknesses and the vulnerabilities of the opponent."
He continued: "We managed to survive this engagement. Our atomic expertise, which they aimed to eliminate, continues to exist. The facilities and machinery, if eliminated, will be reconstructed; what is important is the determination of the Iranian people and then the national cohesion that they aimed at, but were unable to break. The citizens of Tehran have become more resilient, more integrated, and more supportive of the government and the country in the face of this invasion."