Iran States It May Return to American Nuclear Discussions provided that Handled with 'Dignity' and 'Respect'
Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the United States provided that it is approached with "respect" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has declared.
The Iranian diplomat stated only diplomacy was effective, and revealed new appeals had originated from mediators to resume discussions with the US government. He said Iran possessed no unreported enrichment locations, and Tehran was not yet able to authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit bombed nuclear sites for protective measures.
Walking a Challenging Path
The foreign minister is navigating a complex course since Iran aims to avoid be seen to be proceeding from a stance of vulnerability, and he consistently maintained that Iran had come out stronger 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 "an inalienable right to enrich uranium domestically that it will never give up" – the main reason of the stalemate in the prior discussions.
Earlier Discussions Abruptly Terminated
The previous five rounds of negotiations between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and bitter end on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, targeted Iran's enrichment centers in a 12-day war that ended with the US president asserting the facilities had been eliminated. Following this, European countries exercised their authority to reimpose international penalties, but Iran maintains they have not had a significant effect.
Magic Solution Suggested
Iran's diplomats claimed they felt they had achieved a "magic solution" to the enrichment issue in previous talks, when it was agreed an domestic cooperative with US participation could process nuclear material. Both sides would have been able to assert triumph since local refinement would have persisted 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 operate inside Iran, but that was a natural consequence of the cooperative offer. Diplomats asserted repeatedly they had achieved a deal with Trump's special envoy the US official only for the arrangement to collapse due to "detractors in America".
Present Position
Tehran representatives stated the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems quite possible the offer could be resurrected in various formats if talks reopen.
The American leader in recent days claimed he had been getting signals that Iran desired to resume discussions, but confidentially Tehran representatives say they are not yet getting coherent offers from America either straightforwardly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been criticized of inactivity in the wake of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Tehran asserts diplomacy is not part of a show.
Negotiating Position
In his speech to the forum, aimed to paint the US as a controlling nation that misuses the concept of global regulations, Araghchi declared the two-week conflict demonstrated the clash could not be settled by military means. He stated the strikes began with a US demand for an unconditional Iranian surrender and concluded with an unconditional call for a halt to hostilities.
Iran is certain the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were carried out with total Washington understanding and collaboration, making confidence hard to reestablish.
Diplomacy Stays the Ultimate Solution
The foreign minister stated: "Tehran was not the one that had fled negotiations; it was America and the western countries that had always tried to impose their desires during the talks. Diplomacy can still be viable and continues the primary answer to settle disagreements, but its criteria, rules and principles must be followed."
"In case they talk to the citizens of Tehran with the language of respect and honor, they will get a response in the equivalent approach."
Recovery and Rebuilding
In what is characterized by Iranian officials as the battle of restoration and reconstruction, Araghchi claimed he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are much stronger than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been rebuilt. We acquired many lessons from this conflict; we have identified our internal vulnerabilities and the vulnerabilities of the opponent."
He added: "We managed to survive this conflict. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to obliterate, continues to exist. The sites and equipment, if damaged, will be restored; what is important is the will of the Iranian people and then the unity of the country that they sought to undermine, but were unable to shatter. The Iranian people have grown more powerful, more cohesive, and more backing of the administration and the state in the aftermath of this assault."