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Iran is willing to resume atomic negotiations with Washington as long as it is approached with "dignity" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has stated.

The Iranian diplomat declared only diplomacy worked, and disclosed fresh requests had been made by mediators to restart discussions with the American leadership. He asserted Iran did not have unreported enrichment locations, and Tehran had not yet reached a point to allow the UN nuclear inspectorate to access bombed nuclear sites for safety concerns.

Navigating a Difficult Route

Araghchi is walking a challenging route since Iran does not want be seen to be operating from a position of disadvantage, and he emphatically stated that Iran had emerged more powerful defensively and emotionally from the Israeli-US attack on its enrichment centers in June.

He was addressing at a defense forum in Tehran where he restated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel within its borders that it will never give up" – the key factor of the deadlock in the prior discussions.

Earlier Talks Unexpectedly Terminated

The previous five rounds of negotiations between the US and Iran were concluded unexpectedly and hostile conclusion on 12 June when Israel, with American backing, attacked Iran's enrichment centers in a two-week conflict that concluded with the American leader claiming the facilities had been eliminated. Subsequently, Western states used their authority to reinstate international penalties, but Iran insists they have not had a major impact.

Magic Solution Suggested

Tehran representatives claimed they felt they had attained a "perfect agreement" to the nuclear fuel concern in prior discussions, when it was agreed an domestic cooperative with American involvement could process nuclear material. Both sides would have been able to claim victory since domestic enrichment would have continued and the US could be certain that Iran's enrichment initiative was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been agreed in the discussions that US nuclear scientists could operate within Iranian territory, but that was a reasonable assumption of the partnership suggestion. Diplomats asserted three times they had achieved a deal with the US representative the American negotiator only for the deal to collapse due to "detractors in America".

Current Position

Iranian officials said the partnership proposal was now no longer available, but it seems quite possible the suggestion could be resurrected in various formats if negotiations restart.

The US president recently claimed he had been getting signals that Iran wanted to restart talks, but confidentially Iran's diplomats claim they are not yet getting clear proposals from the United States either straightforwardly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, Egypt, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been criticized of inactivity in the wake of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran says diplomacy is not part of a show.

Diplomatic Standpoint

In his remarks to the gathering, designed to paint the US as a dominant force that abuses the concept of international law, the foreign minister stated the 12-day war demonstrated the dispute could not be ended by military means. He stated the assaults commenced with a Washington's ultimatum for an total Iran submission and culminated with an unconditional call for a halt to hostilities.

Iran is certain the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were carried out with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making confidence difficult to reestablish.

Negotiations Continues the Ultimate Answer

Araghchi said: "It was not Iran that had deserted negotiations; it was America and the European states that had repeatedly sought to impose their demands during the negotiations. Diplomacy can still be viable and remains the final solution to settle disputes, but its criteria, regulations and fundamentals must be adhered to."

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

Repair and Rebuilding

In what is characterized by Iran's diplomats as the battle of restoration and recovery, Araghchi said he was assured Iran's security strengths "have significantly improved than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been restored. We learned multiple understandings from this engagement; we have discovered our personal limitations and the shortcomings of the adversary."

He stated: "We effectively endured this engagement. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to destroy, stays intact. The installations and machinery, if damaged, will be restored; what is essential is the determination of the nation of Iran and then the national cohesion that they sought to undermine, but were unable to shatter. The nation of Iran have grown stronger, more united, and more backing of the government and the nation in the face of this assault."