Iran Declares It May Return to American Atomic Talks if Treated with 'Respect' and 'Honor'

Iran is willing to reinitiate atomic discussions with Washington on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "honor", Tehran's top diplomat has stated.

The Iranian diplomat stated only diplomacy produced results, and revealed new appeals had originated from mediators to reopen talks with the US government. He claimed Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran was not yet able to authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to inspect struck enrichment centers for security reasons.

Navigating a Challenging Path

The foreign minister is walking a difficult route since Iran wishes not to appear to be operating from a situation of weakness, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had emerged more powerful defensively and mentally from the coordinated strike on its atomic facilities in June.

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

Previous Negotiations Unexpectedly Concluded

The prior phases of talks between the US and Iran were ended suddenly and hostile end on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, struck Iran's enrichment centers in a two-week conflict that concluded with the US president claiming the facilities had been obliterated. Following this, EU nations used their privilege to restore international penalties, but Iran asserts they have not had a major impact.

Perfect Agreement Suggested

Iran's diplomats said they felt they had achieved a "ideal resolution" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was decided an domestic cooperative with Washington's engagement could process nuclear material. Each party would have been able to declare success since home-based processing would have persisted and the US could be confident that Iran's nuclear programme was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been decided in the discussions that Washington's technical specialists could operate within Iranian territory, but that was a reasonable assumption of the consortium proposal. Representatives asserted repeatedly they had reached agreement with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the deal to collapse due to "opponents in the US".

Present Status

Iran's diplomats stated the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems highly likely the suggestion could be revived in some form if negotiations resume.

The US president recently stated he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to resume discussions, but privately Iran's diplomats say they are not yet receiving clear proposals from America either explicitly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been charged of passivity in the wake of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran says diplomacy is not part of a show.

Political Position

In his address to the conference, aimed to depict the US as a dominant force that misuses the idea of international law, Araghchi stated the 12-day war showed the dispute could not be resolved by armed force. He asserted the attacks commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an complete Tehran capitulation and culminated with an complete request for a truce.

Iran is certain the first strikes by Israel were carried out with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making confidence difficult to rebuild.

Dialogue Remains the Final Resolution

The foreign minister said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned dialogue; it was the United States and the Western nations that had repeatedly tried to enforce their will during the negotiations. Dialogue can still be alive and stays the final answer to settle conflicts, but its standards, rules and fundamentals must be respected."

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

Repair and Rebuilding

In what is characterized by Tehran representatives as the struggle of restoration and reconstruction, Araghchi said he was confident Iran's defence capabilities "are considerably enhanced than before 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been restored. We learned multiple understandings from this conflict; we have come to know our own weaknesses and the weaknesses of the adversary."

He continued: "We managed to survive this war. Our atomic expertise, which they aimed to obliterate, stays intact. The facilities and equipment, if damaged, will be restored; what is essential is the determination of the nation of Iran and then the social solidarity that they targeted, but did not succeed to shatter. The citizens of Tehran have grown more resilient, more integrated, and more endorsing of the government and the country in the face of this attack."

Loretta Smith
Loretta Smith

Eleanor is a British lifestyle journalist with a passion for exploring the quirks of UK culture and sharing insider tips.