Tehran States It May Return to American Atomic Negotiations if Handled with 'Respect' and 'Respect'
Tehran is willing to restart atomic negotiations with the United States on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "respect", Tehran's foreign minister has declared.
The Iranian diplomat said only diplomacy was effective, and revealed fresh requests had come from intermediaries to restart discussions with the American leadership. He claimed Iran did not have unreported enrichment locations, and Iran had not yet reached a point to authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit bombed nuclear sites for protective measures.
Navigating a Difficult Course
The foreign minister is walking a complex route since Iran wishes not to be seen to be proceeding from a situation of weakness, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged more powerful in military terms and emotionally from the joint assault on its atomic facilities in June.
He was speaking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an absolute privilege to process nuclear material within its borders that it will never give up" – the key factor of the stalemate in the earlier negotiations.
Prior Negotiations Unexpectedly Concluded
The earlier sessions of talks between the United States and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and bitter conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, attacked Iran's enrichment centers in a 12-day war that concluded with Donald Trump claiming the facilities had been eliminated. Following this, EU nations exercised their right to reinstate UN-wide sanctions, but Iran maintains they have not had a substantial consequence.
Perfect Agreement Proposed
Iran's diplomats said they felt they had achieved a "ideal resolution" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with US participation could refine atomic fuel. The two nations would have been able to assert triumph since home-based processing would have persisted and the US could be assured that Iran's atomic project was entirely non-military.
It had not been decided in the negotiations that US nuclear scientists could function on Iranian soil, but that was a natural consequence of the cooperative offer. Diplomats asserted three times they had achieved a deal with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the deal to disintegrate due to "opponents in the US".
Present Position
Iran's diplomats stated the consortium offer was now withdrawn, but it seems highly likely the proposal could be reintroduced in various formats if negotiations resume.
Trump last week stated he had been obtaining communications that Iran desired to restart talks, but confidentially Tehran representatives say they are not yet obtaining clear proposals from Washington either explicitly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been accused of non-responsiveness in the face of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Tehran asserts diplomacy is not part of a show.
Negotiating Stance
In his address to the conference, designed to paint the US as a hegemonic power that exploits the notion of global regulations, the foreign minister declared the fortnight-long engagement demonstrated the clash could not be ended by combat operations. He asserted the assaults started with a American requirement for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an absolute demand for a truce.
Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were carried out with total Washington understanding and coordination, making faith challenging to restore.
Negotiations Remains the Final Resolution
Araghchi said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned negotiations; it was America and the European states that had consistently sought to impose their desires during the negotiations. Negotiations can still be active and remains the primary answer to settle disagreements, but its criteria, rules and tenets must be respected."
"Provided that they talk to the Iranian people with the approach of dignity and honor, they will obtain a answer in the equivalent approach."
Restoration and Recovery
In what is characterized by Iranian officials as the conflict of recovery and reconstruction, Araghchi stated he was assured Iran's defence capabilities "have significantly improved than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been reestablished. We acquired numerous insights from this engagement; we have identified our personal limitations and the weaknesses of the opponent."
He stated: "We effectively endured this conflict. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to destroy, stays intact. The installations and equipment, if destroyed, will be reconstructed; what is crucial is the determination of the citizens of Tehran and then the social solidarity that they aimed at, but were unable to shatter. The citizens of Tehran have developed more powerful, more united, and more endorsing of the administration and the state in the aftermath of this assault."