Iran States It May Rejoin US Nuclear Negotiations provided that Approached with 'Respect' and 'Honor'
Tehran is prepared to restart atomic talks with the United States on condition that it is approached with "dignity" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has stated.
Abbas Araghchi stated only diplomacy was effective, and revealed fresh requests had come from intermediaries to resume negotiations with the US government. He claimed Iran did not have undeclared nuclear sites, and Iran could not yet allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to access struck enrichment centers for protective measures.
Walking a Complex Route
Araghchi is treading a complex path since Iran aims to avoid be seen to be acting from a position of vulnerability, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had arisen more resilient militarily and psychologically from the Israeli-US attack on its nuclear sites in June.
He was talking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an inalienable right to enrich uranium within its borders that it will always maintain" – the main reason of the impasse in the prior discussions.
Prior Talks Abruptly Ended
The prior phases of discussions between the US and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and hostile termination on 12 June when Israel, with American backing, attacked Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war that culminated with the American leader declaring the facilities had been eliminated. Subsequently, EU nations employed their authority to reimpose global restrictions, but Iran asserts they have not had a substantial consequence.
Magic Solution Suggested
Iran's diplomats claimed they felt they had achieved a "perfect agreement" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was decided an domestic cooperative with American involvement could process nuclear material. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have continued and the US could be assured that Iran's enrichment initiative was entirely non-military.
It had not been decided in the talks that Washington's technical specialists could operate inside Iran, but that was a natural consequence of the partnership suggestion. Officials stated three times they had achieved a deal with Trump's special envoy the American negotiator only for the arrangement to fall apart due to "opponents in the US".
Current Position
Iran's diplomats declared the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems quite possible the offer could be revived in some form if discussions reopen.
Trump last week claimed he had been getting signals that Iran wanted to resume discussions, but privately Iranian officials state they are not yet obtaining coherent offers from America either explicitly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Tehran's diplomatic corps 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.
Political Standpoint
In his speech to the forum, aimed to paint the US as a hegemonic power that abuses the notion of worldwide standards, the foreign minister stated the two-week conflict revealed the clash could not be resolved by combat operations. He said the attacks commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and ended with an complete request for a truce.
Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were mounted with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making confidence difficult to restore.
Negotiations Stays the Primary Resolution
Araghchi said: "Tehran was not the one that had abandoned dialogue; it was America and the European states that had repeatedly sought to enforce their desires during the talks. Diplomacy can still be alive and remains the final resolution to address disagreements, but its requirements, regulations and principles must be respected."
"Provided that they address to the citizens of Tehran with the approach of dignity and honor, they will obtain a response in the same approach."
Restoration and Rebuilding
In what is described by Iran's diplomats as the battle of recovery and rebuilding, the foreign minister stated he was certain Iran's security strengths "have significantly improved than before 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been rebuilt. We acquired numerous insights from this engagement; we have identified our personal limitations and the weaknesses of the adversary."
He continued: "We successfully passed this war. Our nuclear technology, which they aimed to eliminate, continues to exist. The facilities and equipment, if damaged, will be reconstructed; what is essential is the resolve of the citizens of Tehran and then the national cohesion that they aimed at, but failed to break. The Iranian people have grown more powerful, more integrated, and more supportive of the government and the nation in the aftermath of this attack."