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Iran is ready to restart nuclear discussions with the United States on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "honor", Tehran's top diplomat has announced.

Abbas Araghchi said only diplomacy worked, and disclosed fresh requests had originated from intermediaries to resume talks with the US government. He asserted Iran possessed no secret atomic facilities, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to permit the International Atomic Energy Agency to access struck enrichment centers for protective measures.

Walking a Challenging Route

Araghchi is navigating a challenging course since Iran does not want be perceived to be acting from a position of vulnerability, and he emphatically stated that Iran had come out more resilient defensively and psychologically from the Israeli-US attack on its atomic facilities in June.

He was talking at a security conference in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "an inalienable right to enrich uranium domestically that it will perpetually retain" – the primary cause of the impasse in the earlier negotiations.

Previous Talks Suddenly Ended

The previous five rounds of discussions between the United States and Iran were ended suddenly and bitter termination on 12 June when Israel, with US support, attacked Tehran's atomic facilities in a 12-day war that culminated with Donald Trump asserting the sites had been obliterated. Afterward, EU nations exercised their right to reinstate international penalties, but Iran maintains they have not had a significant effect.

Magic Solution Offered

Iranian officials stated they felt they had attained a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in prior discussions, when it was decided an domestic cooperative with Washington's engagement could enrich uranium. Each party would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have persisted and the US could be assured that Iran's enrichment initiative was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been settled in the negotiations that American atomic experts could function on Iranian soil, but that was a reasonable assumption of the cooperative offer. Officials asserted repeatedly they had reached agreement with Washington's diplomat Steve Witkoff only for the agreement to collapse due to "opponents in the US".

Existing Situation

Iran's diplomats said the cooperative arrangement was now off the table, but it seems quite possible the suggestion could be resurrected in various formats if discussions resume.

Trump last week said he had been receiving messages that Iran desired to restart talks, but confidentially Tehran representatives claim they are not yet receiving clear proposals from America either directly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Iran's state department has been accused of passivity in the aftermath of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran asserts diplomacy is not part of a spectacle.

Political Stance

In his speech to the conference, intended to portray the US as a dominant force that exploits the concept of global regulations, the foreign minister stated the two-week conflict revealed the dispute could not be ended by armed force. He asserted the assaults began with a US demand for an unconditional Iranian surrender and ended with an unconditional call for a ceasefire.

Iran is convinced the first strikes by Israel were carried out with complete American awareness and collaboration, making faith hard to restore.

Diplomacy Stays the Primary Solution

Araghchi declared: "It was not Iran that had abandoned negotiations; it was America and the Western nations that had repeatedly sought to impose their demands during the negotiations. Dialogue can still be active and remains the primary resolution to settle conflicts, but its requirements, guidelines and principles must be followed."

"In case they speak to the citizens of Tehran with the tone of dignity and honor, they will receive a answer in the identical tone."

Restoration and Reconstruction

In what is portrayed by Iranian officials as the conflict of recovery and reconstruction, the foreign minister claimed he was assured Iran's security strengths "are considerably enhanced than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been restored. We learned numerous insights from this war; we have come to know our personal limitations and the vulnerabilities of the opponent."

He added: "We effectively endured this war. Our enrichment knowledge, which they intended to destroy, continues to exist. The facilities and equipment, if damaged, will be restored; what is important is the determination of the nation of Iran and then the social solidarity that they sought to undermine, but did not succeed to break. The nation of Iran have grown more resilient, more cohesive, and more backing of the leadership and the state in the wake of this invasion."