Iran Says It Could Resume American Atomic Discussions if Treated with 'Respect' and 'Honor'
Tehran is prepared to reinitiate atomic talks with Washington on condition that it is approached with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's foreign minister has announced.
Abbas Araghchi said exclusively dialogue was effective, and shared new appeals had been made by mediators to restart talks with the US government. He asserted Iran possessed no unreported enrichment locations, and Iran had not yet reached a point to authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit struck enrichment centers for security reasons.
Walking a Challenging Route
Araghchi is navigating a complex course since Iran wishes not to be seen to be acting from a position of weakness, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged more powerful in military terms and psychologically from the joint assault on its enrichment centers in June.
He was speaking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "an absolute privilege to process nuclear material within its borders that it will always maintain" â the primary cause of the impasse in the prior discussions.
Earlier Talks Unexpectedly Ended
The earlier sessions of discussions between the US and Iran were brought to an abrupt and acrimonious conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, attacked Tehran's atomic facilities in a 12-day war that culminated with the American leader asserting the locations had been obliterated. Afterward, Western states exercised their right to reinstate global restrictions, but Iran asserts they have not had a substantial consequence.
Ideal Resolution Proposed
Iranian officials stated they felt they had reached a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in prior discussions, when it was decided an domestic cooperative with Washington's engagement could refine atomic fuel. Both sides would have been able to declare success since local refinement would have continued and the US could be confident that Iran's nuclear programme was entirely non-military.
It had not been settled in the negotiations that American atomic experts could work within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the cooperative offer. Representatives claimed three times they had reached agreement with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the deal to fall apart due to "opponents in the US".
Current Situation
Iranian officials declared the cooperative arrangement was now off the table, but it seems quite possible the proposal could be revived in some form if negotiations resume.
Trump in recent days stated he had been getting signals that Iran wanted to resume discussions, but privately Iran's diplomats say they are not yet receiving clear proposals from the United States either directly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been charged of inactivity in the aftermath of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Tehran asserts diplomacy is not part of a show.
Diplomatic Standpoint
In his speech to the forum, aimed to depict the US as a dominant force that abuses the concept of worldwide standards, the foreign minister said the 12-day war showed the dispute could not be settled by combat operations. He stated the attacks began with a US demand for an unconditional Iranian surrender and ended with an complete request for a ceasefire.
Iran is assured the initial Israeli attacks were executed with total Washington understanding and coordination, making confidence challenging to rebuild.
Negotiations Continues the Ultimate Answer
Araghchi said: "Tehran was not the one that had deserted dialogue; it was the United States and the European states that had consistently sought to impose their demands during the talks. Dialogue can still be alive and continues the ultimate answer to settle disagreements, but its criteria, regulations and fundamentals must be respected."
"Provided that they speak to the nation of Iran with the tone of respect and honor, they will obtain a reply in the same tone."
Repair and Recovery
In what is characterized by Tehran representatives as the battle of repair and reconstruction, the foreign minister said 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 restored. We acquired numerous insights from this engagement; we have identified our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the enemy."
He stated: "We effectively endured this conflict. Our enrichment knowledge, which they planned to destroy, remains in place. The sites and gear, if destroyed, will be rebuilt; what is important is the determination of the Iranian people and then the national cohesion that they sought to undermine, but failed to destroy. The citizens of Tehran have become stronger, more united, and more backing of the government and the nation in the wake of this invasion."