🔗 Share this article

Iran is willing to restart atomic discussions with the United States on condition that it is approached with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has declared.

Abbas Araghchi declared only diplomacy was effective, and disclosed fresh requests had been made by go-betweens to reopen discussions with the Trump administration. He claimed Iran had zero unreported enrichment locations, and Iran could not yet authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to access bombed nuclear sites for security reasons.

Walking a Difficult Path

The foreign minister is navigating a difficult route since Iran wishes not to appear to be operating from a stance of disadvantage, and he consistently maintained that Iran had come out more powerful militarily and mentally from the joint assault on its enrichment centers in June.

He was addressing at a defense forum in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "an inalienable right to process nuclear material within its borders that it will always maintain" – the main reason of the deadlock in the previous talks.

Earlier Discussions Abruptly Terminated

The earlier sessions of talks between the US and Iran were ended suddenly and acrimonious conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, struck Iranian nuclear sites in a two-week conflict that culminated with the US president asserting the locations had been eliminated. Subsequently, European countries used their privilege to restore global restrictions, but Iran insists they have not had a major impact.

Perfect Agreement Suggested

Iranian officials claimed they felt they had reached a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in previous talks, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with Washington's engagement could enrich uranium. Both sides would have been able to assert triumph since domestic enrichment would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been settled in the discussions that US nuclear scientists could function on Iranian soil, but that was a reasonable assumption of the partnership suggestion. Officials stated three times they had achieved a deal with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the agreement to collapse due to "detractors in America".

Existing Position

Tehran representatives stated the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems very probable the suggestion could be resurrected in certain ways if talks restart.

The American leader recently claimed he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to reopen negotiations, but confidentially Iranian officials state they are not yet getting consistent overtures from the United States either directly or from key regional mediators, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been criticized of passivity in the aftermath of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Tehran asserts diplomacy is not part of a spectacle.

Political Stance

In his address to the gathering, intended to portray the US as a controlling nation that exploits the notion of global regulations, Araghchi said the 12-day war revealed the clash could not be resolved by combat operations. He asserted the strikes commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an complete Tehran capitulation and culminated with an complete request for a ceasefire.

Iran is certain the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were carried out with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making confidence difficult to restore.

Diplomacy Continues the Ultimate Answer

The foreign minister declared: "It was not Iran that had deserted diplomacy; it was America and the western countries that had repeatedly tried to enforce their will during the talks. Diplomacy can still be alive and continues the ultimate answer to resolve disputes, but its requirements, regulations and principles must be adhered to."

"In case they talk to the nation of Iran with the language of dignity and honor, they will obtain a reply in the same language."

Repair and Recovery

In what is characterized by Iranian officials as the conflict of restoration and recovery, Araghchi said he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "have significantly improved than before 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been reestablished. We gained multiple understandings from this engagement; we have discovered our own weaknesses and the vulnerabilities of the adversary."

He continued: "We managed to survive this war. Our atomic expertise, which they intended to obliterate, remains in place. The facilities and gear, if destroyed, will be rebuilt; what is essential is the determination of the Iranian people and then the social solidarity that they aimed at, but were unable to shatter. The citizens of Tehran have become more powerful, more united, and more backing of the administration and the country in the face of this assault."