FT: Iran demands US compensation before resuming nuclear talks

Iran has hardened its stance on nuclear negotiations with the United States following last month’s 12-day conflict with Israel, insisting that Washington must provide financial compensation for the damage inflicted during the war before talks can resume.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, told the Financial Times that Iran “would not agree to ‘business as usual’” in the wake of the conflict, during which the US joined Israel in military action. The war erupted just two days before Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff were scheduled to hold a sixth round of indirect nuclear talks, Caliber.Az reports. 

“They should explain why they attacked us in the middle of . . . negotiations, and they have to ensure that they are not going to repeat that [during future talks],” Araghchi said. “And they have to compensate [Iran for] the damage that they have done.”

During the conflict, Israeli air strikes targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing more than 1,000 people, including nuclear scientists and senior commanders, according to Iranian officials. In a rare acknowledgment, Araghchi confirmed for the first time that a third, previously undisclosed uranium enrichment site near Isfahan was also struck. The US joined in the final days of the war, bombing Iran’s main enrichment facilities at Fordow and Natanz, and a separate plant in Isfahan.

Araghchi emphasised that any return to diplomacy would require “real confidence-building measures” from Washington, including financial compensation and assurances that Iran would not be attacked again during talks.

“My message [to Witkoff] is not that complicated,” he said. “I said the recent aggression proved there is no military solution for Iran’s nuclear programme, but a negotiated solution can be found.”

He noted that despite ongoing communication with Witkoff and a shared desire for a “win-win” outcome, domestic resistance to diplomacy has grown significantly within Iran’s leadership. Calls for weaponising the nuclear program have intensified, though Araghchi reiterated Iran’s commitment to a peaceful, civilian nuclear doctrine and adherence to the supreme leader’s fatwa against nuclear weapons.

“Anti-negotiation feelings are very high,” he said. “People are telling me, ‘Don’t waste your time anymore, don’t be cheated by them . . . if they come to negotiations it’s only a cover-up for their other intentions.’”

Tensions escalated further after US President Donald Trump warned on July 28 that the US could launch additional strikes if Iran resumes uranium enrichment, stating, “we’ll wipe [the nuclear programme] out faster than you can wave your finger at it.”

Araghchi responded firmly: “We can negotiate, they can present their argument and we will present our own argument. But with zero enrichment, we don’t have a thing.”

He also criticised European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal—Britain, France, and Germany—who have threatened to trigger the “snapback” mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions if Iran does not return to talks and restore cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“With the Europeans, there is no reason right now to negotiate because they cannot lift sanctions, they cannot do anything,” he said. “If they do snapback, that means that this is the end of the road for them.”

Despite the war’s devastation, Araghchi said Iran retains the technological capabilities and personnel to resume enrichment if circumstances permit.

“Buildings can be rebuilt. Machines can be replaced, because the technology is there. We have plenty of scientists and technicians who used to work in our facilities,” he said. “But when and how we restart our enrichment depends on the circumstances.”

He added that talks with the IAEA over a new “modality of co-operation” are expected next month, even though Iran has suspended cooperation since the war.

US officials maintain that they are open to direct talks, but also continue their “maximum pressure” strategy, most recently by sanctioning an Iranian oil shipping network.

By Sabina Mammadli