Iran has declared its willingness to restart nuclear negotiations with the United States, provided Washington approaches Tehran with "dignity and respect," according to the country's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
Diplomatic Overture Amid Tensions
In an exclusive discussion, Araghchi confirmed that Iran has received fresh requests from intermediaries to reopen dialogue with the Trump administration. The minister emphasised that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to resolving international disputes, though he stressed that proper diplomatic protocols must be observed.
The previous five rounds of talks between the two nations came to an abrupt and contentious conclusion on 12 June when Israel, with American support, launched attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. The military action spanned twelve days and concluded with former President Donald Trump claiming complete destruction of the targeted sites.
Nuclear Programme and Security Concerns
Araghchi firmly restated Iran's position regarding its nuclear capabilities, asserting that the nation maintains "an inalienable right to enrich uranium domestically" that it will never surrender. This stance represents the core disagreement that previously stalled negotiations.
The foreign minister directly addressed allegations about Iran's nuclear activities, stating unequivocally that Iran does not possess any undeclared nuclear sites. However, he explained that security concerns currently prevent Tehran from permitting United Nations nuclear inspectors access to the bombed facilities.
Interestingly, Iranian officials revealed that during earlier negotiations, both sides had nearly reached what they described as a "magic solution" to the enrichment impasse. The proposed arrangement involved establishing an Iran-based consortium with American participation that would handle uranium enrichment.
Post-Attack Recovery and Future Prospects
Despite the significant damage from June's attacks, Araghchi expressed confidence in Iran's recovery, stating that defence capabilities have been restored and strengthened beyond pre-June levels. "Our nuclear technology, which they intended to destroy, remains in place," he affirmed during a security conference in Tehran.
The minister described how the conflict evolved from initial US demands for unconditional Iranian surrender to concluding with unconditional ceasefire appeals, demonstrating that military action cannot resolve such complex international disputes.
While the consortium proposal currently remains off the table, diplomatic sources suggest the framework could be revived if negotiations resume. However, trust remains a significant barrier, as Iran believes the initial Israeli attacks were coordinated with full US knowledge and support.
Araghchi concluded with a clear message to Western powers: "If they speak to the Iranian people with the language of dignity and respect, they will receive a response in the same language."
