Iran sets conditions for resuming nuclear talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined key conditions for restarting negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program, emphasising the need for guarantees that the United States will not engage in military action during diplomatic talks.

In a written interview with Le Monde, Araghchi stressed that the US must first “change its behavior and guarantee it will not conduct further military strikes against Iran during negotiations,” Caliber.az reports via Iranian media.

He underscored Iran’s consistent approach to diplomacy, saying, “Diplomatic contacts and exchanges have always been ongoing. Currently, a diplomatic hotline is being established through friendly countries or intermediaries.”

“Diplomacy is a two-way street. It was the US that broke off negotiations and resorted to military action. Therefore, it is crucial for the US to accept responsibility for its mistakes and to demonstrate a clear change in behavior. We need assurances that the United States will refrain from military attacks during any future discussions,” Araghchi added.

The foreign minister highlighted the impact of US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, stating that Tehran “reserves the right to seek compensation once the extent of the damage is assessed.” He said, “It is our right to request compensation for the consequences of these actions. The assertion that a program has been destroyed, forcing a nation to abandon peaceful nuclear programs aimed at fulfilling energy, medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and developmental needs, is a significant miscalculation.”

Addressing the nature of Iran’s nuclear program, Araghchi affirmed its peaceful intent and IAEA oversight: “A program under the constant supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and conducted in accordance with international law encompasses far more than just physical structures.”

He continued, “The indomitable will of a nation that has achieved the pinnacle of scientific knowledge is not easily undermined. The IAEA's reports have consistently confirmed that no diversion toward weapons activities has been detected in Iran's peaceful nuclear program.”

Araghchi also raised concerns about the broader implications of US military actions, saying, “The attack on nuclear facilities monitored by the IAEA, coupled with the failure of Western countries to condemn it, represents an assault on the foundations of international law, particularly the non-proliferation regime.”

Warning against further sanctions or military threats, he insisted that “for renewed talks, the United States must accept responsibility for its actions toward Iran,” emphasising that such pressures would “undermine diplomatic efforts.”

Responding to proposals by three European countries to trigger the sanctions mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, Araghchi warned this would be “tantamount to a military attack and would essentially negate Europe’s role in discussions concerning Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.”

Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he stated, “Iran has no intention of withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and remains committed to it, but insisted that the treaty must not be applied in a one-sided manner.”

“We enrich uranium based on our rights under the NPT and have consistently affirmed our lack of military intentions. Even amidst attacks and violations, we have not deviated from our stated policy on nuclear weapons, which is firmly grounded in a fatwa prohibiting the production, stockpiling, or use of weapons of mass destruction,” Araghchi concluded.

He clarified that “the level of enrichment is determined by Iran’s needs,” noting that “we have previously established a single-digit benchmark, particularly for the Tehran Research Reactor, which is utilized for medicinal and therapeutic purposes involving radiopharmaceuticals.”

By Vugar Khalilov