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Tehran is willing to restart nuclear discussions with Washington provided that it is approached with "respect" and "respect", Iran's top diplomat has stated.

Abbas Araghchi declared only diplomacy worked, and revealed recent overtures had been made by mediators to resume talks with the Trump administration. He claimed Iran possessed no unreported enrichment locations, and Iran had not yet reached a point to authorize the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit struck enrichment centers for protective measures.

Walking a Challenging Route

Araghchi is treading a complex course since Iran aims to avoid be perceived to be acting from a position of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out more resilient in military terms and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its nuclear sites in June.

He was speaking at a security conference in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to enrich uranium on home soil that it will always maintain" – the key factor of the impasse in the prior discussions.

Earlier Discussions Abruptly Ended

The previous five rounds of discussions between the United States and Iran were ended suddenly and acrimonious end on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, attacked Iranian nuclear sites in a two-week conflict that culminated with the US president declaring the sites had been eliminated. Subsequently, Western states employed their authority to reimpose international penalties, but Iran insists they have not had a significant effect.

Ideal Resolution Suggested

Iran's diplomats claimed they felt they had achieved a "magic solution" to the uranium processing matter in prior discussions, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with US participation could process nuclear material. Both sides would have been able to declare success since domestic enrichment would have remained and the US could be assured that Iran's atomic project was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been agreed in the negotiations that US nuclear scientists could function inside Iran, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Diplomats stated three times they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat Steve Witkoff only for the agreement to fall apart due to "spoilers in Washington".

Existing Position

Iran's diplomats declared the consortium offer was now withdrawn, but it seems highly likely the offer could be revived in certain ways if negotiations reopen.

The American leader recently stated he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to reopen negotiations, but in private Tehran representatives claim they are not yet getting coherent offers from Washington either explicitly or from key regional mediators, such as the Qatari government, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been criticized of inactivity in the aftermath of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran asserts dialogue is not part of a spectacle.

Diplomatic Stance

In his address to the conference, designed to paint the US as a dominant force that abuses the concept of international law, Araghchi said the two-week conflict showed the conflict could not be resolved by combat operations. He said the strikes commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and concluded with an absolute demand for a ceasefire.

Iran is assured the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were carried out with complete American awareness and coordination, making faith difficult to reestablish.

Dialogue Remains the Final Answer

The foreign minister stated: "It was not Iran that had fled diplomacy; it was the United States and the European states that had repeatedly sought to enforce their desires during the discussions. Dialogue can still be active and continues the primary answer to address disputes, but its requirements, regulations and principles must be respected."

"Provided that they address to the nation of Iran with the approach of dignity and honor, they will obtain a answer in the equivalent tone."

Restoration and Recovery

In what is characterized by Tehran representatives as the struggle of recovery and reconstruction, the foreign minister claimed he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are considerably enhanced than preceding 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been reestablished. We acquired many lessons from this war; we have identified our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the enemy."

He continued: "We managed to survive this engagement. Our enrichment knowledge, which they aimed to eliminate, stays intact. The installations and gear, if destroyed, will be reconstructed; what is essential is the will of the nation of Iran and then the social solidarity that they targeted, but failed to shatter. The citizens of Tehran have grown more resilient, more integrated, and more supportive of the government and the state in the face of this assault."