Tehran Says It Might Resume American Atomic Discussions if Handled with 'Dignity' and 'Honor'

Iran is willing to reinitiate nuclear negotiations with Washington on condition that it is approached with "dignity" and "respect", Iran's top diplomat has announced.

Abbas Araghchi said only diplomacy was effective, and revealed new appeals had originated from go-betweens to reopen negotiations with the American leadership. He asserted Iran possessed no undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to allow the global atomic watchdog to visit bombed nuclear sites for security reasons.

Navigating a Complex Path

Araghchi is treading a complex route since Iran aims to avoid appear to be proceeding from a situation of disadvantage, and he emphatically stated that Iran had come out stronger militarily and mentally from the coordinated strike on its atomic facilities in June.

He was addressing at a security conference in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel within its borders that it will perpetually retain" – the primary cause of the deadlock in the prior discussions.

Earlier Talks Unexpectedly Ended

The earlier sessions of talks between the US and Iran were brought to an abrupt and bitter end on 12 June when Israel, with US support, struck Iranian nuclear sites in a two-week conflict that ended with Donald Trump claiming the locations had been destroyed. Subsequently, EU nations exercised their authority to reinstate UN-wide sanctions, but Iran insists they have not had a major impact.

Magic Solution Suggested

Iran's diplomats said they felt they had reached a "ideal resolution" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an local partnership with Washington's engagement could process nuclear material. Each party would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have remained and the US could be certain that Iran's atomic project was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been decided in the negotiations that US nuclear scientists could function within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Representatives stated on multiple occasions they had reached agreement with Trump's special envoy the American negotiator only for the arrangement to collapse due to "detractors in America".

Existing Position

Iranian officials declared the consortium offer was now no longer available, but it seems quite possible the suggestion could be revived in various formats if negotiations restart.

Trump in recent days stated he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to reopen negotiations, but in private Tehran representatives say they are not yet getting consistent overtures from the United States either directly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Iran's state department has been charged of inactivity in the aftermath of the US president's straightforward manner, but Tehran says dialogue is not part of a show.

Political Stance

In his address to the conference, aimed to portray the US as a hegemonic power that misuses the concept of global regulations, the foreign minister stated the fortnight-long engagement showed the clash could not be ended by military means. He stated the attacks began with a US demand for an unconditional Iranian surrender and ended with an absolute demand for a ceasefire.

Iran is assured the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were mounted with complete American awareness and collaboration, making trust difficult to rebuild.

Negotiations Continues the Final Solution

Araghchi said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned diplomacy; it was America and the Western nations that had always tried to impose their demands during the discussions. Diplomacy can still be active and remains the ultimate answer to address conflicts, but its requirements, rules and fundamentals must be respected."

"In case they talk to the Iranian people with the tone of dignity and respect, they will get a reply in the identical tone."

Recovery and Reconstruction

In what is described by Iran's diplomats as the struggle of recovery and reconstruction, the foreign minister said 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 restored. We learned numerous insights from this engagement; we have discovered our personal limitations and the weaknesses of the adversary."

He added: "We managed to survive this war. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to destroy, continues to exist. The facilities and equipment, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is important is the will of the citizens of Tehran and then the social solidarity that they sought to undermine, but did not succeed to destroy. The Iranian people have grown stronger, more integrated, and more backing of the government and the nation in the wake of this assault."

Daniel Mann
Daniel Mann

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