Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that his country is ready to resume negotiations with the US, but only on the basis of dignity and mutual respect. This was reported by the Iranian news agency IRNA, referring to an interview Araghchi gave to the French newspaper Le Monde, BTA reports.
The minister stressed that the US must first change its behavior and provide guarantees that it will not launch new air strikes against Iran during possible negotiations.
“The Islamic Republic has always participated in dialogue, guided by the principles of dignity, logic and mutual respect“, Araghchi said. He pointed out that diplomatic contacts exist, albeit indirectly through friendly countries and intermediaries who maintain the so-called “diplomatic hotline“.
“Diplomacy is a two-way street. It was the US that broke off the talks and resorted to military action. Therefore, they must take responsibility for their mistakes and demonstrate a clear change in behavior“, he stressed. Araghchi added that Iran needs assurances that it will not be subjected to new military attacks during future talks.
The minister pointed out that the US attacks have caused damage to Iranian nuclear facilities, with Tehran reserving the right to demand compensation once the full extent of the damage is determined. He categorically rejected claims that these attacks succeeded in destroying the country's nuclear program.
“Believing that Iran will abandon its peaceful nuclear program aimed at meeting energy, pharmaceutical and agricultural needs is a serious misconception“, Araghchi also said.
He stressed that the Iranian program operates under the constant supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is carried out in full compliance with international law. “The indomitable will of our nation, which has reached the heights of scientific development, cannot be undermined so easily“, he said. IAEA reports, he said, have repeatedly confirmed the absence of deviations towards military goals.
Araghchi also warned that the real harm from the US attacks lies in their impact on the international regime for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. "The attack on sites monitored by the IAEA and the silence of Western countries constitute a serious violation of the foundations of international law," he noted.
Finally, Araghchi issued a warning to the three European countries that signed the 2015 nuclear deal. According to him, activating the sanctions mechanism provided for in the agreement would amount to military aggression and would compromise Europe's role in future discussions on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.