Iran Says It May Return to US Atomic Discussions provided that Handled with 'Respect' and 'Respect'
Iran is prepared to resume nuclear discussions with the United States as long as it is treated with "dignity" and "honor", Iran's foreign minister has stated.
Abbas Araghchi declared exclusively dialogue produced results, and disclosed recent overtures had been made by go-betweens to restart talks with the Trump administration. He asserted Iran did not have unreported enrichment locations, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to allow the UN nuclear inspectorate to inspect attacked atomic facilities for safety concerns.
Navigating a Complex Path
Araghchi is treading a complex path since Iran does not want be seen to be proceeding from a stance of weakness, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged more powerful defensively and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its nuclear sites in June.
He was addressing at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an inalienable right to enrich uranium domestically that it will never give up" – the main reason of the impasse in the earlier negotiations.
Earlier Negotiations Unexpectedly Concluded
The earlier sessions of negotiations between the United States and Iran were ended suddenly and acrimonious end on 12 June when Israel, with Washington's assistance, attacked Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war that ended with the US president asserting the sites had been destroyed. Subsequently, European countries used their right to restore UN-wide sanctions, but Iran insists they have not had a significant effect.
Magic Solution Suggested
Tehran representatives claimed they felt they had achieved a "perfect agreement" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was decided an Iran-based consortium with US participation could refine atomic fuel. The two nations would have been able to claim victory since home-based processing would have continued and the US could be assured that Iran's enrichment initiative was entirely non-military.
It had not been agreed in the discussions that American atomic experts could function inside Iran, but that was a natural consequence of the partnership suggestion. Officials claimed repeatedly they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the arrangement to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".
Existing Situation
Iranian officials said the cooperative arrangement was now withdrawn, but it seems highly likely the offer could be revived in certain ways if talks restart.
The American leader last week said he had been receiving messages that Iran wanted to reopen negotiations, but confidentially Iranian officials claim they are not yet getting clear proposals from Washington either straightforwardly or from key regional mediators, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been criticized of passivity in the face of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran says diplomacy is not part of a show.
Negotiating Position
In his address to the conference, aimed to depict the US as a dominant force that exploits the concept of global regulations, the foreign minister declared the fortnight-long engagement revealed the conflict could not be settled by combat operations. He asserted the assaults started with a Washington's ultimatum for an unconditional Iranian surrender and ended with an complete request for a ceasefire.
Iran is convinced the first strikes by Israel were executed with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making faith challenging to reestablish.
Negotiations Continues the Ultimate Answer
The foreign minister said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned negotiations; it was America and the Western nations that had always tried to impose their desires during the negotiations. Dialogue can still be active and remains the final answer to settle disagreements, but its requirements, rules and principles must be respected."
"In case they speak to the nation of Iran with the tone of respect and respect, they will get a reply in the same tone."
Repair and Reconstruction
In what is characterized by Tehran representatives as the struggle of repair and rebuilding, the foreign minister said he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are much stronger than before 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been rebuilt. We gained many lessons from this conflict; we have come to know our personal limitations and the weaknesses of the enemy."
He added: "We successfully passed this conflict. Our atomic expertise, which they planned to destroy, continues to exist. The installations and gear, if eliminated, will be reconstructed; what is essential is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the unity of the country that they aimed at, but did not succeed to shatter. The nation of Iran have developed more powerful, more cohesive, and more supportive of the government and the nation in the aftermath of this invasion."