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Iran is prepared to resume nuclear discussions with Washington provided that it is treated with "respect" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has announced.

Abbas Araghchi declared only diplomacy produced results, and disclosed recent overtures had come from intermediaries to resume negotiations with the American leadership. He asserted Iran did not have undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to authorize the International Atomic Energy Agency to access struck enrichment centers for protective measures.

Walking a Complex Course

The foreign minister is navigating a complex route since Iran wishes not to be seen to be operating from a stance of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had arisen stronger defensively and psychologically from the joint assault on its nuclear sites in June.

He was talking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel on home soil that it will always maintain" – the primary cause of the deadlock in the prior discussions.

Prior Discussions Unexpectedly Terminated

The previous five rounds of talks between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and acrimonious end on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, struck Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war that concluded with the American leader declaring the sites had been destroyed. Subsequently, EU nations used their privilege to reimpose global restrictions, but Iran insists they have not had a major impact.

Perfect Agreement Suggested

Iran's diplomats stated they felt they had achieved a "perfect agreement" to the uranium processing matter in earlier negotiations, when it was settled an domestic cooperative with American involvement could refine atomic fuel. The two nations would have been able to assert triumph since home-based processing would have remained and the US could be assured that Iran's atomic project was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been decided in the talks that Washington's technical specialists could work on Iranian soil, but that was a reasonable assumption of the cooperative offer. Diplomats claimed on multiple occasions they had achieved a deal with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the deal to collapse due to "detractors in America".

Existing Status

Iranian officials stated the partnership proposal was now off the table, but it seems quite possible the proposal could be reintroduced in some form if negotiations restart.

The US president recently said he had been getting signals that Iran sought to reopen negotiations, but in private Iranian officials say they are not yet receiving coherent offers from Washington either explicitly or from key regional mediators, such as the Qatari government, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been criticized of passivity in the face of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Iran asserts negotiations is not part of a show.

Political Position

In his speech to the gathering, aimed to portray the US as a dominant force that misuses the notion of international law, the foreign minister stated the fortnight-long engagement demonstrated the dispute could not be ended by military means. He said the attacks started with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and concluded with an absolute demand for a ceasefire.

Iran is convinced the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were carried out with total Washington understanding and coordination, making confidence difficult to reestablish.

Negotiations Continues the Ultimate Answer

Araghchi said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned diplomacy; it was America and the Western nations that had repeatedly sought to impose their demands during the negotiations. Diplomacy can still be alive and remains the primary resolution to settle disputes, but its standards, guidelines and principles must be adhered to."

"If they speak to the Iranian people with the tone of respect and honor, they will receive a reply in the equivalent tone."

Restoration and Reconstruction

In what is described by Iranian officials as the struggle of recovery and rebuilding, the foreign minister stated he was assured Iran's security strengths "are considerably enhanced than preceding 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been rebuilt. We learned numerous insights from this conflict; we have discovered our internal vulnerabilities and the shortcomings of the adversary."

He stated: "We managed to survive this conflict. Our enrichment knowledge, which they aimed to obliterate, stays intact. The installations and equipment, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is essential is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the unity of the country that they aimed at, but failed to break. The Iranian people have grown more powerful, more integrated, and more supportive of the government and the state in the aftermath of this assault."