Tehran Declares It May Rejoin American Nuclear Negotiations if Treated with 'Respect' and 'Honor'

Iran is prepared to resume atomic discussions with Washington on condition that it is approached with "respect" and "honor", Iran's foreign minister has announced.

Abbas Araghchi said exclusively dialogue was effective, and disclosed recent overtures had come from intermediaries to reopen negotiations with the Trump administration. He said Iran possessed no undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to authorize the global atomic watchdog to inspect struck enrichment centers for protective measures.

Navigating a Difficult Path

Araghchi is treading a difficult course since Iran wishes not to appear to be proceeding from a stance of vulnerability, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged more powerful in military terms and mentally from the coordinated strike on its nuclear sites in June.

He was speaking at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel on home soil that it will never give up" – the key factor of the deadlock in the previous talks.

Previous Negotiations Abruptly Concluded

The previous five rounds of talks 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, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a 12-day war that culminated with Donald Trump asserting the facilities had been eliminated. Afterward, European countries exercised their privilege to reinstate UN-wide sanctions, but Iran maintains they have not had a major impact.

Magic Solution Suggested

Tehran representatives said they felt they had reached a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with Washington's engagement could enrich uranium. Both sides would have been able to declare success since domestic enrichment would have persisted and the US could be assured that Iran's nuclear programme was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been settled in the negotiations that Washington's technical specialists could operate inside Iran, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Diplomats claimed repeatedly they had reached agreement with Washington's diplomat Steve Witkoff only for the arrangement to fall apart due to "spoilers in Washington".

Existing Situation

Iran's diplomats said the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems very probable the offer could be reintroduced in some form if talks restart.

Trump last week claimed he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to reopen negotiations, but in private Iran's diplomats claim they are not yet obtaining coherent offers from the United States either explicitly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been criticized of non-responsiveness in the face of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Tehran asserts negotiations is not part of a spectacle.

Political Position

In his address to the gathering, designed to paint the US as a dominant force that exploits the notion of international law, the foreign minister stated the two-week conflict demonstrated the conflict could not be resolved by military means. He said the strikes started with a American requirement for an total Iran submission and ended with an absolute demand for a truce.

Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were carried out with full US knowledge and coordination, making trust difficult to rebuild.

Dialogue Stays the Ultimate Answer

The foreign minister said: "Tehran was not the one that had deserted negotiations; it was America and the western countries that had always attempted to enforce their desires during the talks. Diplomacy can still be alive and remains the final answer to resolve conflicts, but its requirements, rules and principles must be followed."

"Provided that they talk to the citizens of Tehran with the tone of respect and honor, they will receive a answer in the same tone."

Recovery and Rebuilding

In what is characterized by Iranian officials as the battle of repair and recovery, the foreign minister stated he was assured Iran's military capacities "have significantly improved than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been rebuilt. We learned many lessons from this conflict; we have identified our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the opponent."

He added: "We successfully passed this war. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to destroy, remains in place. The sites and equipment, if destroyed, will be restored; what is essential is the will of the citizens of Tehran and then the national cohesion that they sought to undermine, but did not succeed to destroy. The nation of Iran have become more resilient, more cohesive, and more supportive of the administration and the country in the face of this invasion."