Iran Ponders Nuclear Talks with US Amidst Regional Tensions
Tehran willing to resume negotiations if guaranteed no future attacks, signaling shift in diplomatic stance.
In a significant development amidst ongoing regional tensions, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Saturday that his country would be open to resuming nuclear talks with the United States, provided there are assurances against any further military strikes.
This statement was reported by state media and marks a potential shift in Iran's diplomatic approach towards its nuclear program.
According to Araghchi, who addressed Tehran-based foreign diplomats, Iran has consistently been ready for negotiations regarding its nuclear activities and remains so in the future.
However, he emphasized that any resumption of talks must be accompanied by a guarantee that such actions will not lead to war.
This remark comes in response to recent Israeli bombardments on Iranian nuclear and military sites as well as the US strike in June, which Iran perceived as attempts to disrupt its nuclear capabilities.
Following these strikes, Iran suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), leading to the withdrawal of inspectors.
Araghchi clarified that while Iran would consider the agency's requests on a case-by-case basis, any inspections must be conducted in light of national security concerns and inspector safety due to the risks of radioactive contamination and explosions at these targeted sites.
Furthermore, Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s stance on continuing uranium enrichment within its borders.
This position remains at odds with US President Donald Trump's insistence that Iran halt this activity entirely.
Israel has justified its strikes by claiming that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.
However, international intelligence and the IAEA have previously assessed that Iran ended its organized nuclear weapons program in 2003.
In an interview published on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that US airstrikes severely damaged Iran's nuclear facilities, rendering them inaccessible for inspection purposes due to the extent of destruction.
This admission underscores the implications of these strikes and their impact on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
This statement was reported by state media and marks a potential shift in Iran's diplomatic approach towards its nuclear program.
According to Araghchi, who addressed Tehran-based foreign diplomats, Iran has consistently been ready for negotiations regarding its nuclear activities and remains so in the future.
However, he emphasized that any resumption of talks must be accompanied by a guarantee that such actions will not lead to war.
This remark comes in response to recent Israeli bombardments on Iranian nuclear and military sites as well as the US strike in June, which Iran perceived as attempts to disrupt its nuclear capabilities.
Following these strikes, Iran suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), leading to the withdrawal of inspectors.
Araghchi clarified that while Iran would consider the agency's requests on a case-by-case basis, any inspections must be conducted in light of national security concerns and inspector safety due to the risks of radioactive contamination and explosions at these targeted sites.
Furthermore, Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s stance on continuing uranium enrichment within its borders.
This position remains at odds with US President Donald Trump's insistence that Iran halt this activity entirely.
Israel has justified its strikes by claiming that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.
However, international intelligence and the IAEA have previously assessed that Iran ended its organized nuclear weapons program in 2003.
In an interview published on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that US airstrikes severely damaged Iran's nuclear facilities, rendering them inaccessible for inspection purposes due to the extent of destruction.
This admission underscores the implications of these strikes and their impact on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
