Tehran Declares It May Rejoin American Nuclear Talks if Treated with 'Respect' and 'Honor'
Iran is prepared to restart nuclear negotiations with Washington as long as it is approached with "respect" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has declared.
Abbas Araghchi declared exclusively dialogue was effective, and disclosed recent overtures had originated from mediators to reopen talks with the American leadership. He claimed Iran possessed no unreported enrichment locations, and Iran was not yet able to authorize the global atomic watchdog to visit bombed nuclear sites for protective measures.
Walking a Challenging Route
Araghchi is treading a challenging course since Iran wishes not to appear to be operating from a situation of vulnerability, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had arisen stronger militarily and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its nuclear sites in June.
He was speaking at a security conference in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "an inalienable right to refine atomic fuel within its borders that it will perpetually retain" – the key factor of the stalemate in the earlier negotiations.
Earlier Talks Abruptly Terminated
The prior phases of negotiations between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and bitter end on 12 June when Israel, with American backing, targeted Tehran's atomic facilities in a fortnight-long engagement that concluded with the US president claiming the sites had been destroyed. Subsequently, EU nations exercised their authority to reimpose UN-wide sanctions, but Iran asserts they have not had a substantial consequence.
Ideal Resolution Suggested
Tehran representatives stated they felt they had achieved a "ideal resolution" to the nuclear fuel concern in prior discussions, when it was settled an local partnership with American involvement could process nuclear material. Both sides would have been able to declare success since home-based processing would have continued and the US could be certain that Iran's nuclear programme was entirely non-military.
It had not been agreed in the talks that Washington's technical specialists could function within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the cooperative offer. Diplomats stated repeatedly they had reached agreement with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the agreement to collapse due to "spoilers in Washington".
Present Position
Iran's diplomats said the cooperative arrangement was now no longer available, but it seems quite possible the suggestion could be revived in various formats if discussions resume.
Trump last week said he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to restart talks, but in private Iran's diplomats say they are not yet getting clear proposals from America either directly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been charged of inactivity in the wake of the US president's straightforward manner, but Tehran asserts diplomacy is not part of a performance.
Diplomatic Position
In his speech to the conference, intended to depict the US as a dominant force that exploits the concept of international law, the foreign minister said the 12-day war showed the clash could not be ended by armed force. He said the strikes commenced with a American requirement for an complete Tehran capitulation and ended with an absolute demand for a ceasefire.
Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were mounted with full US knowledge and collaboration, making faith hard to reestablish.
Diplomacy Continues the Final Resolution
Araghchi stated: "It was not Iran that had abandoned negotiations; it was the United States and the western countries that had consistently sought to enforce their will during the talks. Negotiations can still be viable and continues the ultimate resolution to address disputes, but its requirements, rules and fundamentals must be respected."
"Provided that they speak to the citizens of Tehran with the language of dignity and honor, they will obtain a answer in the equivalent language."
Restoration and Reconstruction
In what is characterized by Iran's diplomats as the battle of restoration and reconstruction, Araghchi claimed he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are much stronger than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been rebuilt. We learned many lessons from this engagement; we have come to know our own weaknesses and the vulnerabilities of the enemy."
He stated: "We managed to survive this war. Our enrichment knowledge, which they intended to obliterate, continues to exist. The installations and machinery, if damaged, will be reconstructed; what is crucial is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the national cohesion that they aimed at, but were unable to destroy. The citizens of Tehran have grown stronger, more integrated, and more supportive of the leadership and the state in the wake of this invasion."