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Iran is ready to resume nuclear discussions with Washington on condition that it is treated with "dignity" and "honor", Tehran's foreign minister has declared.

The Iranian diplomat declared exclusively dialogue produced results, and disclosed fresh requests had been made by go-betweens to restart talks with the US government. He claimed Iran had zero unreported enrichment locations, and Tehran could not yet allow the global atomic watchdog to inspect struck enrichment centers for security reasons.

Navigating a Challenging Path

Araghchi is walking a difficult course since Iran does not want be perceived to be proceeding from a position of disadvantage, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had emerged stronger in military terms and mentally from the Israeli-US attack on its atomic facilities in June.

He was talking at a security conference in Tehran where he restated 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 previous talks.

Previous Negotiations Unexpectedly Concluded

The prior phases of talks between the United States and Iran were brought to an abrupt and bitter conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, struck Tehran's atomic facilities in a 12-day war that ended with the US president declaring the locations had been obliterated. Following this, EU nations used their privilege to reimpose UN-wide sanctions, but Iran insists they have not had a significant effect.

Ideal Resolution Offered

Iranian officials stated they felt they had reached a "perfect agreement" to the uranium processing matter in earlier negotiations, when it was decided an Iran-based consortium with Washington's engagement could process nuclear material. Each party would have been able to assert triumph since domestic enrichment would have continued and the US could be confident that Iran's atomic project was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been decided in the talks that US nuclear scientists could function within Iranian territory, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Diplomats claimed on multiple occasions they had secured an understanding with Washington's diplomat the American negotiator only for the agreement to collapse due to "opponents in the US".

Present Position

Iranian officials said the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems very probable the suggestion could be revived in some form if negotiations restart.

The US president last week said he had been obtaining communications that Iran sought to resume discussions, but confidentially Iranian officials say they are not yet receiving consistent overtures from Washington either explicitly or from significant local go-betweens, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been charged of non-responsiveness in the aftermath of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Tehran says negotiations is not part of a show.

Negotiating Stance

In his remarks to the conference, aimed to portray the US as a dominant force that misuses the concept of international law, the foreign minister stated the two-week conflict showed the conflict could not be resolved by combat operations. He asserted the attacks began with a American requirement for an total Iran submission and culminated with an absolute demand for a truce.

Iran is certain the initial Israeli attacks were executed with total Washington understanding and cooperation, making faith challenging to restore.

Dialogue Stays the Primary Answer

Araghchi declared: "It was not Iran that had abandoned dialogue; it was America and the western countries that had consistently attempted to dictate their desires during the negotiations. Diplomacy can still be active and stays the final solution to address disputes, but its criteria, rules and fundamentals must be adhered to."

"Provided that they speak to the Iranian people with the language of respect and honor, they will get a reply in the same approach."

Repair and Recovery

In what is described by Tehran representatives as the conflict of restoration and reconstruction, Araghchi said he was certain Iran's military capacities "have significantly improved than preceding 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been reestablished. We learned many lessons from this war; we have discovered our personal limitations and the vulnerabilities of the enemy."

He continued: "We managed to survive this conflict. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to eliminate, stays intact. The installations and equipment, if eliminated, will be rebuilt; what is important is the resolve of the citizens of Tehran and then the social solidarity that they aimed at, but failed to shatter. The Iranian people have become more resilient, more united, and more backing of the government and the nation in the aftermath of this assault."