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Tehran is ready to restart atomic discussions with the United States provided that it is handled with "dignity" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has stated.

The Iranian diplomat stated only diplomacy produced results, and revealed fresh requests had originated from intermediaries to restart discussions with the American leadership. He asserted Iran had zero unreported enrichment locations, and Tehran could not yet authorize the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit bombed nuclear sites for safety concerns.

Walking a Complex Path

Araghchi is treading a challenging path since Iran does not want be perceived to be operating from a situation of vulnerability, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had come out more resilient in military terms and mentally from the joint assault on its enrichment centers in June.

He was talking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an inalienable right to process nuclear material within its borders that it will always maintain" – the primary cause of the impasse in the earlier negotiations.

Prior Talks Abruptly Terminated

The prior phases of discussions between the United States and Iran were ended suddenly and acrimonious conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with Washington's assistance, attacked Tehran's atomic facilities in a two-week conflict that culminated with the American leader claiming the facilities had been eliminated. Subsequently, EU nations used their authority to restore global restrictions, but Iran maintains they have not had a significant effect.

Magic Solution Suggested

Iranian officials stated they felt they had reached a "perfect agreement" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with Washington's engagement could refine atomic fuel. The two nations would have been able to claim victory since home-based processing would have continued and the US could be certain that Iran's atomic project was entirely non-military.

It had not been agreed in the talks that American atomic experts could operate inside Iran, but that was a natural consequence of the consortium proposal. Officials claimed three times they had secured an understanding with the US representative the US official only for the arrangement to disintegrate due to "opponents in the US".

Present Situation

Iranian officials stated the cooperative arrangement was now no longer available, but it seems very probable the proposal could be revived in certain ways if talks restart.

Trump last week stated he had been obtaining communications that Iran sought to resume discussions, but confidentially Tehran representatives claim they are not yet obtaining coherent offers from Washington either directly or from significant local go-betweens, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Iran's state department has been accused of non-responsiveness in the face of Trump's direct instinctive approach, but Iran states diplomacy is not part of a show.

Negotiating Standpoint

In his speech to the gathering, designed to portray the US as a controlling nation that exploits the concept of global regulations, the foreign minister declared the fortnight-long engagement demonstrated the conflict could not be ended by combat operations. He asserted the attacks started with a Washington's ultimatum for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an absolute demand for a truce.

Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were mounted with complete American awareness and cooperation, making faith difficult to rebuild.

Negotiations Remains the Ultimate Answer

Araghchi declared: "Tehran was not the one that had fled dialogue; it was the United States and the Western nations that had always attempted to dictate their demands during the discussions. Diplomacy can still be alive and remains the ultimate solution to address disputes, but its standards, regulations and principles must be adhered to."

"In case they speak to the nation of Iran with the tone of respect and honor, they will get a reply in the equivalent language."

Repair and Reconstruction

In what is characterized by Iran's diplomats as the struggle of repair and rebuilding, the foreign minister stated he was confident Iran's security strengths "have significantly improved than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been restored. We acquired many lessons from this engagement; we have come to know our internal vulnerabilities and the shortcomings of the enemy."

He added: "We effectively endured this conflict. Our enrichment knowledge, which they planned to eliminate, continues to exist. The installations and gear, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is important is the determination of the Iranian people and then the social solidarity that they sought to undermine, but did not succeed to shatter. The nation of Iran have become stronger, more united, and more endorsing of the administration and the state in the face of this attack."