Iran States It Could Resume US Atomic Talks if Approached with 'Respect' and 'Honor'
Iran is ready to reinitiate atomic negotiations with the United States on condition that it is approached with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has announced.
The Iranian diplomat said solely negotiations was effective, and revealed fresh requests had been made by mediators to reopen talks with the American leadership. He claimed Iran had zero unreported enrichment locations, and Iran could not yet authorize the global atomic watchdog to visit struck enrichment centers for security reasons.
Walking a Difficult Path
Araghchi is walking a complex route since Iran aims to avoid be seen to be acting from a situation of weakness, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged more powerful militarily and emotionally from the joint assault on its atomic facilities in June.
He was speaking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to process nuclear material within its borders that it will always maintain" – the main reason of the deadlock in the prior discussions.
Previous Talks Suddenly Ended
The earlier sessions of negotiations between the US and Iran were ended suddenly and acrimonious termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, targeted Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war that ended with the US president claiming the sites had been eliminated. Subsequently, European countries exercised their authority to reimpose global restrictions, but Iran asserts they have not had a major impact.
Ideal Resolution Suggested
Iranian officials stated they felt they had reached a "perfect agreement" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with American involvement could enrich uranium. Both sides would have been able to declare success since domestic enrichment would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's atomic project was entirely non-military.
It had not been settled in the discussions that US nuclear scientists could work on Iranian soil, but that was a logical implication of the consortium proposal. Officials claimed repeatedly they had achieved a deal with Washington's diplomat Steve Witkoff only for the agreement to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".
Existing Situation
Iranian officials said the consortium offer was now off the table, but it seems highly likely the offer could be resurrected in some form if talks reopen.
The American leader last week claimed he had been getting signals that Iran desired to resume discussions, but privately Iranian officials state they are not yet obtaining coherent offers from Washington either straightforwardly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been criticized of passivity in the wake of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran says negotiations is not part of a show.
Negotiating Position
In his speech to the forum, designed to depict the US as a hegemonic power that abuses the notion of global regulations, the foreign minister stated the two-week conflict demonstrated the conflict could not be ended by armed force. He asserted the strikes commenced with a American requirement for an total Iran submission and concluded with an absolute demand for a halt to hostilities.
Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were executed with complete American awareness and collaboration, making faith difficult to restore.
Dialogue Remains the Ultimate Solution
The foreign minister said: "Tehran was not the one that had fled dialogue; it was the United States and the western countries that had repeatedly tried to impose their demands during the discussions. Dialogue can still be viable and continues the final resolution to settle conflicts, but its requirements, rules and tenets must be respected."
"In case they talk to the nation of Iran with the approach of dignity and respect, they will obtain a answer in the equivalent tone."
Recovery and Rebuilding
In what is characterized by Iran's diplomats as the battle of repair and reconstruction, Araghchi said he was assured Iran's military capacities "are considerably enhanced than preceding 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been rebuilt. We gained many lessons from this war; we have identified our personal limitations and the shortcomings of the enemy."
He continued: "We successfully passed this war. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to destroy, stays intact. The facilities and gear, if damaged, will be reconstructed; what is essential is the determination of the Iranian people and then the social solidarity that they sought to undermine, but were unable to break. The citizens of Tehran have become stronger, more united, and more supportive of the government and the state in the wake of this assault."