Tehran, Iran
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Iran is keen to resume nuclear talks with the United States if they’re performed respectfully, a senior Iranian official informed NCS, whereas insisting Tehran won’t transfer from the place it held earlier than the US and Israel attacked it in June.
“They have to make the first move to show that they are ready to engage with us on the conditions that we put… it has to be based on equal footing and mutual respect,” mentioned Kamal Kharrazi, overseas coverage adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an unique interview with NCS from Tehran. “The agenda would be prepared in advance to ensure the clarity of substance and the process of discussions.”
“Unfortunately, President (Donald) Trump does not believe in diplomatic engagement but rather prefers to use force to achieve his objectives,” he added.
Kharrazi indicated that Iran’s circumstances for a rapprochement with Washington haven’t modified since the US and Israel struck its nuclear services in June, including that uranium enrichment will proceed as a result of the nation wants the gas for its energy vegetation and for medical functions. Tehran’s ballistic missile program, which he mentioned is increasing, may also be off the negotiating desk. “It is only the nuclear issue we will discuss with the United States,” he mentioned.
The Trump administration and Iran had been in the center of talks to settle their dispute in June when Israel launched a shock assault on Iran, ultimately drawing in Washington, which carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear services, the first direct US assault inside Iran.
Almost 5 months on, the injury to Iran’s nuclear services has but to be assessed, Kharrazi mentioned.
On Sunday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh informed NCS that regardless of severe injury to “infrastructure, machineries” and “buildings,” the nation’s nuclear program remained “intact.” On the identical day, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned that no uranium enrichment was happening “right now” as a result of the nation’s services had been attacked.
During the Iran-US talks in the summer season, Washington had insisted that Iran cease enriching uranium altogether, whereas Tehran was adamant about persevering with home enrichment to a purity that can’t be used to construct nuclear bombs. Highly enriched uranium is a key part of a nuclear weapon.
Kharrazi mentioned the “degree of enrichment,” not enrichment itself, can be the focus of potential negotiations with the US.
Asked if he’s involved about one other army confrontation with the US or Israel, he mentioned: “Everything is possible. But we are ready for that.”
NCS reported in June that Washington had made a proposal for a nuclear deal beneath which the US would put money into Iran’s civilian nuclear energy program and join a consortium that might oversee the enrichment of low-level uranium inside Iran for an unspecified period of time. That potential consortium can be anticipated to embrace Middle Eastern nations and the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
At the time, Iranian officers repeatedly mentioned they’re open to the thought of an enrichment consortium but insisted Iran should be in a position to preserve management of its personal enrichment capabilities.
Asked by NCS if there may be room to attain an understanding with the US on Iran’s nuclear program, together with on a possible consortium, Kharrazi mentioned, “I think so.”
“If there would be genuine negotiations between Iran and the United States, there are ways and means (of) how to ensure that Iran can continue its enrichment and at the same time assure the others that it’s not going to look for nuclear weapons.”
Kharrazi additionally had a message for Trump.
“Start with a positive approach with Iran. If it will be positive, certainly it will be reciprocated. But for that, they (the US) have to refrain from any force against Iran,” he mentioned. “They have tried that and they now understand that it’s not acceptable and it’s not workable.”