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Iran is prepared to restart nuclear discussions with Washington on condition that it is handled with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's top diplomat has stated.

The Iranian diplomat said only diplomacy was effective, and revealed recent overtures had originated from go-betweens to resume discussions with the American leadership. He said Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Tehran could not yet authorize the International Atomic Energy Agency to access bombed nuclear sites for protective measures.

Navigating a Difficult Path

The foreign minister is treading a difficult path since Iran aims to avoid appear to be operating from a stance of disadvantage, and he emphatically stated that Iran had emerged more resilient defensively and mentally from the joint assault on its atomic facilities in June.

He was speaking at a strategic meeting in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to enrich uranium within its borders that it will always maintain" – the primary cause of the impasse in the prior discussions.

Earlier Talks Suddenly Terminated

The prior phases of talks between the United States and Iran were ended suddenly and bitter end on 12 June when Israel, with Washington's assistance, attacked Tehran's atomic facilities in a two-week conflict that culminated with Donald Trump declaring the sites had been destroyed. Following this, Western states employed their right to reinstate UN-wide sanctions, but Iran asserts they have not had a substantial consequence.

Perfect Agreement Suggested

Iranian officials claimed they felt they had reached a "magic solution" to the enrichment issue in previous talks, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with US participation could process nuclear material. Each party would have been able to assert triumph since local refinement would have remained and the US could be assured that Iran's atomic project was entirely non-military.

It had not been agreed in the discussions that Washington's technical specialists could work inside Iran, but that was a logical implication of the consortium proposal. Officials claimed repeatedly they had achieved a deal with the US representative Steve Witkoff only for the deal to collapse due to "opponents in the US".

Present Status

Tehran representatives stated the consortium offer was now withdrawn, but it seems very probable the proposal could be resurrected in some form if discussions restart.

The US president in recent days said he had been receiving messages that Iran sought to restart talks, but privately Tehran representatives state they are not yet obtaining consistent overtures from Washington either explicitly or from key regional mediators, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian foreign ministry has been criticized of passivity in the face of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Iran asserts dialogue is not part of a show.

Political Standpoint

In his remarks to the forum, designed to depict the US as a controlling nation that exploits the concept of worldwide standards, the foreign minister declared the fortnight-long engagement revealed the clash could not be ended by armed force. He stated the attacks started with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and ended with an unconditional call for a ceasefire.

Iran is assured the first strikes by Israel were carried out with complete American awareness and cooperation, making faith difficult to rebuild.

Dialogue Continues the Ultimate Solution

The foreign minister stated: "Tehran was not the one that had abandoned diplomacy; it was the United States and the Western nations that had consistently sought to impose their desires during the negotiations. Diplomacy can still be active and stays the ultimate answer to resolve disputes, but its criteria, guidelines and tenets must be followed."

"In case they talk to the Iranian people with the tone of respect and honor, they will obtain a reply in the equivalent approach."

Repair and Recovery

In what is described by Iran's diplomats as the struggle of recovery and reconstruction, Araghchi stated he was certain Iran's defence capabilities "are considerably enhanced than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been rebuilt. We acquired numerous insights from this war; we have come to know our personal limitations and the vulnerabilities of the adversary."

He added: "We effectively endured this conflict. Our atomic expertise, which they intended to obliterate, remains in place. The facilities and machinery, if damaged, will be reconstructed; what is important is the determination of the Iranian people and then the social solidarity that they targeted, but did not succeed to break. The citizens of Tehran have developed more resilient, more united, and more backing of the leadership and the nation in the wake of this assault."