Iran Declares It Could Return to American Atomic Talks if Approached with 'Dignity' and 'Respect'

Iran is ready to restart nuclear talks with Washington on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "honor", Tehran's foreign minister has stated.

Abbas Araghchi stated solely negotiations worked, and shared fresh requests had been made by intermediaries to resume talks with the American leadership. He said Iran possessed no secret atomic facilities, and Iran had not yet reached a point to permit the global atomic watchdog to inspect attacked atomic facilities for safety concerns.

Walking a Difficult Route

The foreign minister is walking a complex course since Iran wishes not to be seen to be operating from a position of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out more powerful in military terms and mentally from the Israeli-US attack on its enrichment centers in June.

He was talking at a security conference in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to enrich uranium on home soil that it will always maintain" – the main reason of the deadlock in the earlier negotiations.

Previous Talks Unexpectedly Concluded

The prior phases of discussions between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and hostile termination on 12 June when Israel, with US support, attacked Iranian nuclear sites in a two-week conflict that ended with the American leader asserting the facilities had been obliterated. Following this, European countries employed their right to reimpose global restrictions, but Iran asserts they have not had a major impact.

Ideal Resolution Offered

Tehran representatives claimed they felt they had attained a "ideal resolution" to the uranium processing matter in previous talks, when it was decided an domestic cooperative with Washington's engagement could refine atomic fuel. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since home-based processing would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been settled in the negotiations that US nuclear scientists could operate inside Iran, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Representatives asserted repeatedly they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the deal to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".

Current Situation

Tehran representatives stated the cooperative arrangement was now no longer available, but it seems quite possible the offer could be resurrected in various formats if discussions restart.

The American leader in recent days stated he had been getting signals that Iran desired to resume discussions, but in private Iran's diplomats say they are not yet getting clear proposals from America either straightforwardly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been criticized of inactivity in the wake of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Tehran asserts diplomacy is not part of a performance.

Negotiating Position

In his remarks to the conference, intended to portray the US as a hegemonic power that exploits the concept of international law, the foreign minister stated the fortnight-long engagement demonstrated the dispute could not be resolved by military means. He asserted the strikes began with a American requirement for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an absolute demand for a ceasefire.

Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were executed with complete American awareness and collaboration, making trust hard to restore.

Negotiations Stays the Primary Solution

The foreign minister said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned dialogue; it was America and the western countries that had always sought to impose their desires during the discussions. Diplomacy can still be viable and remains the final answer to settle disputes, but its standards, regulations and principles must be respected."

"In case they address to the Iranian people with the language of respect and honor, they will receive a answer in the identical approach."

Restoration and Recovery

In what is characterized by Iran's diplomats as the battle of repair and reconstruction, the foreign minister said he was certain Iran's military capacities "have significantly improved than preceding 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been reestablished. We learned many lessons from this engagement; we have identified our personal limitations and the shortcomings of the enemy."

He continued: "We successfully passed this war. Our nuclear technology, which they aimed to eliminate, stays intact. The installations and machinery, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is essential is the resolve of the Iranian people and then the national cohesion that they targeted, but were unable to destroy. The nation of Iran have become more powerful, more integrated, and more endorsing of the government and the state in the wake of this attack."

Paul Hernandez
Paul Hernandez

A UK-based digital strategist with over a decade of experience in tech consulting, passionate about helping businesses leverage digital tools for growth.