Tehran States It May Resume US Atomic Discussions if Approached with 'Respect' and 'Honor'

Tehran is prepared to reinitiate nuclear discussions with the United States on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has stated.

Abbas Araghchi said only diplomacy produced results, and disclosed recent overtures had been made by go-betweens to restart discussions with the Trump administration. He asserted Iran did not have undeclared nuclear sites, and Iran could not yet permit the global atomic watchdog to inspect struck enrichment centers for protective measures.

Navigating a Challenging Course

The foreign minister is walking a difficult path since Iran does not want be perceived to be acting from a stance of vulnerability, and he emphatically stated that Iran had emerged more resilient in military terms and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its atomic facilities in June.

He was speaking at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel within its borders that it will perpetually retain" – the main reason of the deadlock in the previous talks.

Previous Discussions Unexpectedly Terminated

The earlier sessions of discussions between the US and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and acrimonious end on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, targeted Tehran's atomic facilities in a two-week conflict that ended with the American leader declaring the facilities had been eliminated. Subsequently, EU nations exercised their right to reinstate global restrictions, but Iran insists they have not had a substantial consequence.

Magic Solution Proposed

Iranian officials stated they felt they had achieved a "perfect agreement" to the uranium processing matter in previous talks, when it was decided an domestic cooperative with US participation could refine atomic fuel. The two nations would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have continued and the US could be certain that Iran's atomic project was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been settled in the discussions that American atomic experts could operate within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the cooperative offer. Representatives asserted three times they had reached agreement with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the arrangement to collapse due to "detractors in America".

Present Status

Iran's diplomats said the cooperative arrangement was now off the table, but it seems highly likely the proposal could be reintroduced in certain ways if talks reopen.

The US president last week said he had been receiving messages that Iran desired to reopen negotiations, but in private Tehran representatives state they are not yet receiving clear proposals from Washington either directly or from key regional mediators, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been criticized of passivity in the face of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran states diplomacy is not part of a performance.

Political Stance

In his remarks to the gathering, designed to paint the US as a dominant force that misuses the idea of global regulations, Araghchi declared the 12-day war showed the clash could not be settled by combat operations. He said the attacks commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and concluded with an unconditional call for a halt to hostilities.

Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were mounted with complete American awareness and collaboration, making trust hard to rebuild.

Negotiations Continues the Ultimate Answer

The foreign minister stated: "Tehran was not the one that had fled negotiations; it was the United States and the European states that had consistently attempted to impose their desires during the discussions. Negotiations can still be active and remains the primary answer to address disputes, but its criteria, rules and fundamentals must be respected."

"If they address to the nation of Iran with the tone of dignity and respect, they will get a reply in the same language."

Repair and Reconstruction

In what is described by Tehran representatives as the struggle of restoration and recovery, the foreign minister stated he was confident Iran's military capacities "have significantly improved than before 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been reestablished. We learned multiple understandings from this war; we have come to know our internal vulnerabilities and the shortcomings of the opponent."

He added: "We successfully passed this conflict. Our atomic expertise, which they planned to destroy, continues to exist. The sites and gear, if destroyed, will be restored; what is crucial is the determination of the citizens of Tehran and then the unity of the country that they sought to undermine, but were unable to break. The Iranian people have developed stronger, more integrated, and more backing of the administration and the state in the face of this attack."