Tehran States It May Resume US Atomic Talks if Treated with 'Dignity' and 'Honor'
Iran is willing to restart atomic discussions with the United States on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has declared.
Abbas Araghchi stated only diplomacy produced results, and shared recent overtures had come from go-betweens to restart talks with the American leadership. He claimed Iran had zero unreported enrichment locations, and Iran could not yet authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to access attacked atomic facilities for protective measures.
Navigating a Complex Path
Araghchi is navigating a complex course since Iran aims to avoid be perceived to be operating from a situation of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out more powerful militarily and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its enrichment centers in June.
He was talking at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to enrich uranium within its borders that it will always maintain" – the key factor of the deadlock in the prior discussions.
Previous Discussions Suddenly Terminated
The prior phases of talks between the United States and Iran were ended suddenly and bitter termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with American backing, struck Iran's enrichment centers in a fortnight-long engagement that culminated with the US president asserting the sites had been eliminated. Afterward, EU nations used their right to reinstate international penalties, but Iran maintains they have not had a substantial consequence.
Ideal Resolution Suggested
Iranian officials stated they felt they had achieved a "perfect agreement" to the enrichment issue in prior discussions, when it was agreed an local partnership with US participation could refine atomic fuel. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have continued and the US could be certain that Iran's nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful.
It had not been settled in the discussions that Washington's technical specialists could work within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the consortium proposal. Representatives stated repeatedly they had secured an understanding with Trump's special envoy the US official only for the deal to collapse due to "opponents in the US".
Present Status
Iranian officials said the consortium offer was now no longer available, but it seems quite possible the suggestion could be reintroduced in various formats if discussions reopen.
The US president recently said he had been receiving messages that Iran desired to reopen negotiations, but confidentially Tehran representatives claim they are not yet obtaining coherent offers from America either explicitly or from key regional mediators, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been charged of inactivity in the wake of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Iran says diplomacy is not part of a spectacle.
Political Position
In his speech to the conference, designed to portray the US as a dominant force that exploits the concept of global regulations, Araghchi said the 12-day war showed the conflict could not be ended by military means. He stated the attacks began with a American requirement for an unconditional Iranian surrender and ended with an absolute demand for a truce.
Iran is convinced the first strikes by Israel were mounted with complete American awareness and coordination, making confidence difficult to reestablish.
Dialogue Continues the Primary Resolution
Araghchi stated: "It was not Iran that had fled dialogue; it was America and the western countries that had consistently sought to dictate their demands during the talks. Dialogue can still be active and remains the ultimate resolution to settle disagreements, but its standards, rules and principles must be followed."
"Provided that they address to the nation of Iran with the tone of dignity and respect, they will obtain a response in the same language."
Repair and Reconstruction
In what is characterized by Iran's diplomats as the conflict of restoration and recovery, Araghchi stated he was assured Iran's military capacities "are considerably enhanced than before 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been rebuilt. We learned many lessons from this engagement; we have identified our internal vulnerabilities and the weaknesses of the adversary."
He stated: "We effectively endured this war. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to obliterate, remains in place. The facilities and machinery, if damaged, will be reconstructed; what is essential is the will of the citizens of Tehran and then the unity of the country that they aimed at, but failed to destroy. The nation of Iran have developed stronger, more integrated, and more supportive of the administration and the nation in the aftermath of this attack."