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Iran is willing to resume atomic discussions with the United States on condition that it is treated with "respect" and "honor", Tehran's foreign minister has stated.

Abbas Araghchi declared exclusively dialogue was effective, and disclosed fresh requests had been made by intermediaries to reopen discussions with the American leadership. He said Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran was not yet able to allow the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit attacked atomic facilities for safety concerns.

Navigating a Difficult Path

Araghchi is walking a difficult path since Iran does not want be seen to be acting from a position of vulnerability, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had arisen more powerful in military terms and psychologically from the coordinated strike on its atomic facilities in June.

He was addressing at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "an absolute privilege to refine atomic fuel domestically that it will never give up" – the key factor of the impasse in the prior discussions.

Earlier Negotiations Suddenly Terminated

The previous five rounds of negotiations between the US and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and bitter end on 12 June when Israel, with American backing, targeted Iranian nuclear sites in a fortnight-long engagement that culminated with Donald Trump claiming the locations had been obliterated. Following this, Western states exercised their authority to restore global restrictions, but Iran maintains they have not had a major impact.

Perfect Agreement Proposed

Tehran representatives stated they felt they had attained a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in prior discussions, when it was agreed an local partnership with American involvement could enrich uranium. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since local refinement would have persisted and the US could be confident that Iran's atomic project was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been settled in the talks that Washington's technical specialists could operate on Iranian soil, but that was a reasonable assumption of the consortium proposal. Diplomats stated three times they had achieved a deal with the US representative Steve Witkoff only for the arrangement to collapse due to "detractors in America".

Existing Status

Tehran representatives said the cooperative arrangement was now off the table, but it seems quite possible the offer could be revived in certain ways if talks restart.

The US president last week claimed he had been getting signals that Iran desired to resume discussions, but privately Tehran representatives state they are not yet getting clear proposals from America either explicitly or from key regional mediators, such as Qatar, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been accused of inactivity in the wake of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran asserts negotiations is not part of a show.

Negotiating Stance

In his address to the conference, aimed to portray the US as a hegemonic power that misuses the notion of international law, the foreign minister said the two-week conflict demonstrated the dispute could not be settled by military means. He asserted the strikes commenced with a US demand for an total Iran submission and concluded with an unconditional call for a ceasefire.

Iran is assured the initial Israeli attacks were executed with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making confidence difficult to restore.

Dialogue Remains the Primary Answer

Araghchi said: "It was not Iran that had abandoned diplomacy; it was America and the Western nations that had repeatedly attempted to dictate their desires during the talks. Dialogue can still be alive and stays the primary answer to address disputes, but its standards, rules and principles must be followed."

"Provided that they address to the citizens of Tehran with the tone of dignity and respect, they will receive a reply in the identical approach."

Restoration and Recovery

In what is characterized by Tehran representatives as the conflict of restoration and rebuilding, Araghchi stated he was confident Iran's security strengths "have significantly improved than before 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been reestablished. We acquired multiple understandings from this conflict; we have discovered our personal limitations and the shortcomings of the enemy."

He stated: "We managed to survive this war. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to eliminate, continues to exist. The facilities and equipment, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is crucial is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the unity of the country that they targeted, but were unable to break. The citizens of Tehran have grown more powerful, more integrated, and more backing of the administration and the country in the aftermath of this assault."