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Tehran is prepared to resume nuclear talks with the United States on condition that it is approached with "respect" and "honor", Tehran's top diplomat has stated.

The Iranian diplomat declared exclusively dialogue produced results, and revealed recent overtures had originated from go-betweens to resume negotiations with the Trump administration. He said Iran did not have undeclared nuclear sites, and Iran could not yet permit the UN nuclear inspectorate to visit bombed nuclear sites for safety concerns.

Walking a Complex Route

Araghchi is navigating a difficult path since Iran aims to avoid be perceived to be proceeding from a situation of weakness, and he consistently maintained that Iran had arisen stronger militarily and mentally from the coordinated strike on its nuclear sites in June.

He was addressing at a security conference in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to enrich uranium domestically that it will perpetually retain" – the main reason of the impasse in the previous talks.

Previous Negotiations Abruptly Terminated

The prior phases of negotiations between the United States and Iran were ended suddenly and hostile termination on 12 June when the Israeli government, with American backing, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a fortnight-long engagement that culminated with Donald Trump asserting the facilities had been eliminated. Following this, EU nations exercised their authority to reinstate global restrictions, but Iran insists they have not had a major impact.

Ideal Resolution Suggested

Tehran representatives claimed they felt they had attained a "ideal resolution" to the nuclear fuel concern in previous talks, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with US participation could process nuclear material. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have remained and the US could be certain that Iran's atomic project was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been decided in the negotiations that American atomic experts could work within Iranian territory, but that was a reasonable assumption of the consortium proposal. Representatives claimed three times they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat Steve Witkoff only for the agreement to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".

Existing Situation

Tehran representatives declared the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems quite possible the offer could be reintroduced in various formats if negotiations restart.

Trump recently stated he had been obtaining communications that Iran desired to reopen negotiations, but confidentially Iranian officials say they are not yet obtaining clear proposals from America either straightforwardly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as the Qatari government, Egypt, the Omani authorities and Saudi Arabia. The Iran's state department has been accused of inactivity in the face of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Iran says dialogue is not part of a show.

Negotiating Position

In his speech to the conference, aimed to paint the US as a controlling nation that exploits the concept of worldwide standards, Araghchi declared the fortnight-long engagement showed the dispute could not be ended by armed force. He said the strikes began with a Washington's ultimatum for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an absolute demand for a ceasefire.

Iran is assured the initial Israeli attacks were carried out with total Washington understanding and coordination, making faith difficult to reestablish.

Dialogue Remains the Ultimate Resolution

The foreign minister stated: "It was not Iran that had deserted dialogue; it was America and the European states that had always sought to enforce their will during the talks. Dialogue can still be active and remains the primary answer to address disagreements, but its requirements, regulations and tenets must be followed."

"In case they talk to the Iranian people with the tone of dignity and respect, they will obtain a response in the same tone."

Repair and Reconstruction

In what is described by Iranian officials as the struggle of restoration and recovery, the foreign minister claimed he was certain Iran's security strengths "are much stronger than before 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been restored. We acquired multiple understandings from this war; we have come to know our personal limitations and the weaknesses of the adversary."

He added: "We managed to survive this engagement. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to eliminate, remains in place. The sites and machinery, if eliminated, will be rebuilt; what is important is the resolve of the citizens of Tehran and then the unity of the country that they sought to undermine, but were unable to break. The nation of Iran have grown stronger, more united, and more supportive of the government and the state in the wake of this assault."