Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Diplomacy but Sets Firm Conditions: FM Araghchi
Tehran says any future nuclear talks must exclude missiles, ensure sanction relief, guarantee uranium enrichment rights, avoid snapback sanctions, and redefine cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran remains open to diplomacy over its nuclear program, but warned that any talks must be strictly limited to nuclear issues and framed around mutual respect and the lifting of sanctions, according to AFP.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran remains ready to build this confidence through diplomacy," Araghchi told foreign diplomats in Tehran. "But, before that, our counterparts must convince us that they want diplomacy and not that diplomacy is a cover for other goals and objectives they have."
His remarks come just weeks after an Israeli strike targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13, a move that derailed a planned meeting between Tehran and Washington in Oman two days later. While Iran acknowledged it is reviewing the prospects of resuming nuclear talks with the United States, Araghchi said the evaluation process includes examining “its timing, its location, its form, its ingredients, and the assurances it requires.”
Araghchi made clear that any future negotiations with major powers would be limited to the nuclear file alone and would not cover Iran’s military capabilities, including its ballistic missile program. “If negotiations are held, the subject of the negotiations will be only nuclear and creating confidence in Iran's nuclear program in return for the lifting of sanctions,” he said. “No other issues will be subject to negotiation.”
Tehran also reiterated its longstanding position that uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes is a right protected under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). “I would like to emphasize that in any negotiated solution, the rights of the Iranian people on the nuclear issue, including the right to enrichment, must be respected,” Araghchi stated. “We will not have any agreement in which enrichment is not included.”
The foreign minister further warned that any invocation of the so-called “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal—designed to reimpose UN sanctions if Iran is deemed in breach—could permanently alienate Europe from playing a constructive role in resolving the nuclear dispute. “Such measures would signify the end of Europe's role in the Iranian nuclear dossier,” he cautioned.
Araghchi also addressed Iran’s evolving relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following recent legislative moves in Tehran to limit cooperation with the UN watchdog. “Our cooperation with the agency has not stopped, but will take on a new form,” he said, noting that future monitoring requests would be assessed “on a case-by-case basis, taking into account safety and security issues.”
The statements reflect Iran’s hardened stance in the wake of recent tensions but also signal a continued—albeit conditional—interest in reengaging diplomatically over its nuclear program.