Tehran Says It Could Resume US Atomic Talks if Handled with 'Dignity' and 'Respect'
Iran is prepared to resume nuclear discussions with the United States on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has declared.
Abbas Araghchi said only diplomacy worked, and disclosed fresh requests had been made by intermediaries to resume negotiations with the US government. He claimed Iran had zero unreported enrichment locations, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to access attacked atomic facilities for protective measures.
Navigating a Difficult Route
Araghchi is treading a difficult path since Iran wishes not to be perceived to be acting from a position of weakness, and he emphatically stated that Iran had arisen more resilient in military terms and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its atomic facilities in June.
He was talking at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel within its borders that it will perpetually retain" – the main reason of the deadlock in the prior discussions.
Previous Discussions Abruptly Ended
The prior phases of negotiations between the US and Iran were brought to an abrupt and acrimonious termination on 12 June when Israel, with US support, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a 12-day war that concluded with the US president asserting the locations had been destroyed. Afterward, European countries employed their privilege to reinstate global restrictions, but Iran insists they have not had a substantial consequence.
Ideal Resolution Suggested
Iran's diplomats stated they felt they had achieved a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an domestic cooperative with American involvement could refine atomic fuel. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have persisted and the US could be certain that Iran's atomic project was solely for peaceful purposes.
It had not been agreed in the negotiations that Washington's technical specialists could operate inside Iran, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Officials claimed on multiple occasions they had secured an understanding with Trump's special envoy the American negotiator only for the arrangement to fall apart due to "opponents in the US".
Current Situation
Iran's diplomats declared the partnership proposal was now no longer available, but it seems very probable the offer could be reintroduced in some form if negotiations reopen.
The American leader recently claimed he had been obtaining communications that Iran wanted to resume discussions, but confidentially Iranian officials say they are not yet obtaining consistent overtures from America either directly or from key regional mediators, such as Qatar, Egypt, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iranian foreign ministry has been charged of passivity in the face of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Iran states negotiations is not part of a performance.
Diplomatic Stance
In his address to the gathering, intended to portray the US as a dominant force that misuses the concept of worldwide standards, Araghchi declared the 12-day war showed the clash could not be ended by military means. He asserted the attacks started with a American requirement for an complete Tehran capitulation and concluded with an complete request for a truce.
Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were executed with total Washington understanding and collaboration, making trust challenging to restore.
Negotiations Remains the Ultimate Resolution
The foreign minister declared: "It was not Iran that had deserted dialogue; it was America and the European states that had repeatedly sought to dictate their demands during the discussions. Negotiations can still be alive and stays the primary solution to settle disputes, but its requirements, regulations and principles must be adhered to."
"In case they speak to the nation of Iran with the approach of dignity and respect, they will get a reply in the identical tone."
Recovery and Rebuilding
In what is portrayed by Iran's diplomats as the battle of repair and recovery, Araghchi claimed he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are considerably enhanced than before 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been rebuilt. We gained multiple understandings from this war; we have identified our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the opponent."
He continued: "We effectively endured this conflict. Our atomic expertise, which they planned to destroy, stays intact. The installations and gear, if destroyed, will be rebuilt; what is important is the resolve of the citizens of Tehran and then the unity of the country that they targeted, but did not succeed to destroy. The nation of Iran have grown stronger, more united, and more endorsing of the government and the country in the face of this assault."