Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said that the US must first rule out the possibility of a new strike, and only then can it think about continuing diplomatic talks, writes the British broadcaster BBC.
Takht-Ravanchi pointed out that the Trump administration, through intermediaries, has made it known to Iran that it wants to return to the negotiating table, but has not revealed its position on a very important issue for Iran – further attacks while peace talks are underway.
The Israeli attacks on the 13th of June disrupted the planned sixth round of mostly indirect talks, which was supposed to begin on the 15th of June. A week later, the US also directly intervened in the conflict between Israel and Iran, carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Iranian diplomat indicated that his country insists on further uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes, rejecting accusations that there are attempts to develop nuclear weapons. He added that Iran has been denied access to nuclear materials for research programs, so it must rely on itself. He added that it’s possible to talk about the level, it’s possible to talk about the volume, but to say that Iran cannot engage in enrichment, that they cannot do it at all, and if they don’t agree, US will bomb them – that is the law of the jungle.
Israel launched its attacks in mid-June on the grounds that Tehran would soon begin building nuclear weapons.
Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel. The hostilities continued for 12 days, and the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. The extent of the damage caused by the US strikes is still unclear, and Takt Ravanchi also indicated that he could not give a specific assessment.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said the strikes had had serious consequences but that the facilities had not been destroyed, while US President Donald Trump said that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been completely destroyed. Grossi also said that Iran could resume uranium enrichment in a few months, to which Takt Ravanchi replied that he did not know if that was possible.
On the 25th of June, the Iranian government decided to suspend cooperation with the IAEA,
accusing the monitor of collaborating with Israel and the US. Trump said that he was considering re-strikes in Iraq if intelligence showed that uranium enrichment was taking place.
An Iranian diplomat said that there was no specific date for talks to resume, while Trump said it could happen this week. Takht-Ravanchi said that the question was what the US could offer to make the dialogue possible. Asked if Iran might consider abandoning its nuclear program, the Iranian leader replied, “Why should we agree to such a proposal?” and reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, is for peaceful purposes.
In 2015, Iran signed a nuclear deal that limited its enrichment of uranium to 3.67%, the purity level required for commercial reactors. Iran was also barred from enriching at Fordow. In 2018, during his first term, Trump withdrew from the deal, saying it was not helping, and reimposed US sanctions. Iran responded by violating the ban, particularly on uranium enrichment, and restarting Fordo.
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