Iran Says It May Resume US Atomic Discussions provided that Treated with 'Respect' and 'Honor'

Tehran is prepared to restart atomic negotiations with Washington on condition that it is approached with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's foreign minister has stated.

The Iranian diplomat stated only diplomacy produced results, and disclosed fresh requests had been made by go-betweens to resume negotiations with the US government. He claimed Iran did not have undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran could not yet permit the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit attacked atomic facilities for safety concerns.

Navigating a Challenging Path

The foreign minister is walking a difficult route since Iran wishes not to appear to be acting from a situation of vulnerability, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged stronger militarily and emotionally from the joint assault on its enrichment centers in June.

He was speaking at a security conference in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to enrich uranium on home soil that it will never give up" – the primary cause of the deadlock in the earlier negotiations.

Earlier Negotiations Abruptly Ended

The previous five rounds of talks between the US and Iran were ended suddenly and acrimonious end on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a fortnight-long engagement that concluded with the US president declaring the sites had been eliminated. Afterward, EU nations exercised their authority to restore UN-wide sanctions, but Iran maintains they have not had a significant effect.

Magic Solution Suggested

Iran's diplomats said they felt they had attained a "perfect agreement" to the nuclear fuel concern in previous talks, when it was decided an local partnership with US participation could refine atomic fuel. Each party would have been able to claim victory since local refinement would have remained and the US could be assured that Iran's atomic project was entirely non-military.

It had not been agreed in the talks that American atomic experts could operate inside Iran, but that was a natural consequence of the cooperative offer. Diplomats asserted on multiple occasions they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the deal to collapse due to "spoilers in Washington".

Current Status

Iran's diplomats said the consortium offer was now off the table, but it seems quite possible the suggestion could be revived in some form if negotiations restart.

Trump recently said he had been receiving messages that Iran wanted to reopen negotiations, but confidentially Tehran representatives say they are not yet getting consistent overtures from Washington either explicitly or from significant local go-betweens, such as Qatar, Egypt, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been charged of passivity in the aftermath of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Iran states diplomacy is not part of a performance.

Political Stance

In his speech to the conference, aimed to depict the US as a dominant force that exploits the idea of global regulations, the foreign minister said the two-week conflict showed the clash could not be resolved by military means. He asserted the strikes started with a Washington's ultimatum for an unconditional Iranian surrender and ended with an complete request for a halt to hostilities.

Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were executed with total Washington understanding and collaboration, making faith hard to restore.

Negotiations Stays the Ultimate Answer

Araghchi declared: "Tehran was not the one that had fled negotiations; it was the United States and the Western nations that had consistently attempted to impose their will during the discussions. Diplomacy can still be viable and stays the primary solution to resolve disputes, but its requirements, rules and principles must be adhered to."

"In case they talk to the nation of Iran with the language of dignity and honor, they will get a answer in the identical language."

Restoration and Reconstruction

In what is described by Iran's diplomats as the struggle of restoration and rebuilding, Araghchi stated he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are considerably enhanced than before 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been reestablished. We gained numerous insights from this engagement; we have identified our own weaknesses and the weaknesses of the opponent."

He stated: "We successfully passed this engagement. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to eliminate, stays intact. The installations and gear, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is essential is the determination of the nation of Iran and then the unity of the country that they aimed at, but were unable to destroy. The nation of Iran have become more resilient, more cohesive, and more endorsing of the government and the nation in the face of this attack."

Andrew Jenkins
Andrew Jenkins

A political analyst and writer with over a decade of experience covering UK parliamentary affairs and social policy developments.