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Tehran is prepared to restart nuclear discussions with the United States as long as it is handled with "respect" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has declared.

Abbas Araghchi stated only diplomacy produced results, and revealed recent overtures had originated from intermediaries to resume talks with the American leadership. He asserted Iran possessed no secret atomic facilities, and Iran had not yet reached a point to authorize the global atomic watchdog to access struck enrichment centers for protective measures.

Navigating a Difficult Course

The foreign minister is navigating a difficult path since Iran aims to avoid appear to be acting from a position of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had arisen more resilient in military terms and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its enrichment centers in June.

He was addressing at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an absolute privilege to process nuclear material on home soil that it will perpetually retain" – the key factor of the impasse in the earlier negotiations.

Previous Discussions Abruptly Ended

The prior phases of talks between the US and Iran were brought to an abrupt and hostile termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, attacked Iranian nuclear sites in a 12-day war that concluded with Donald Trump claiming the sites had been destroyed. Afterward, European countries exercised their authority to reinstate global restrictions, but Iran asserts they have not had a significant effect.

Perfect Agreement Offered

Iran's diplomats claimed they felt they had reached a "magic solution" to the enrichment issue in earlier negotiations, when it was settled an local partnership with US participation could enrich uranium. Both sides would have been able to declare success since domestic enrichment would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's atomic project was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been decided in the discussions that American atomic experts could operate inside Iran, but that was a natural consequence of the consortium proposal. Representatives asserted three times they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat the US official only for the deal to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".

Existing Situation

Iranian officials declared the cooperative arrangement was now withdrawn, but it seems very probable the suggestion could be reintroduced in various formats if discussions restart.

The American leader in recent days said he had been obtaining communications that Iran sought to restart talks, but privately Iran's diplomats say they are not yet receiving consistent overtures from the United States either explicitly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been accused of non-responsiveness in the wake of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Iran asserts dialogue is not part of a show.

Negotiating Position

In his remarks to the forum, designed to paint the US as a controlling nation that exploits the notion of worldwide standards, Araghchi declared the 12-day war demonstrated the conflict could not be ended by military means. He asserted the attacks began with a Washington's ultimatum for an complete Tehran capitulation and culminated with an unconditional call for a halt to hostilities.

Iran is convinced the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were mounted with complete American awareness and cooperation, making trust difficult to restore.

Dialogue Stays the Ultimate Resolution

Araghchi stated: "It was not Iran that had abandoned dialogue; it was America and the western countries that had repeatedly attempted to impose their desires during the negotiations. Negotiations can still be alive and remains the primary resolution to address disputes, but its requirements, regulations and principles must be adhered to."

"If they address to the nation of Iran with the approach of respect and honor, they will receive a reply in the identical language."

Repair and Reconstruction

In what is portrayed by Iranian officials as the battle of repair and rebuilding, Araghchi said he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "have significantly improved than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been reestablished. We learned many lessons from this war; we have discovered our own weaknesses and the shortcomings of the enemy."

He added: "We successfully passed this engagement. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to obliterate, stays intact. The facilities and gear, if eliminated, will be restored; what is essential is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the unity of the country that they aimed at, but did not succeed to shatter. The nation of Iran have become more resilient, more united, and more supportive of the administration and the country in the aftermath of this attack."