TEHRAN
\nIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that in order for the talks on Tehran\u2019s nuclear program to restart, it must be guaranteed that the US does not take military action amid negotiations.
\nIn a written interview with Le Monde, Araqchi set out Iran\u2019s conditions for returning to the nuclear negotiations.
\nHe emphasized that the US must first change its behavior and guarantee it will not conduct further military strikes against Iran during negotiations.
\nThe foreign minister reiterated that Iran has always approached negotiations with a commitment to dignity, logic, and mutual respect, saying, \u201cDiplomatic contacts and exchanges have always been ongoing. Currently, a diplomatic hotline is being established through friendly countries or intermediaries.\u201d
\n\u201cDiplomacy is a two-way street. It was the US that broke off negotiations and resorted to military action. Therefore, it is crucial for the US to accept responsibility for its mistakes and to demonstrate a clear change in behavior. We need assurances that the United States will refrain from military attacks during any future discussions,\u201d Araqchi stated.
\nHe highlighted that US attacks have caused damage to Iran\u2019s nuclear facilities, emphasizing that the country reserves the right to seek compensation once the extent of the damage is assessed, Press TV reported.
\n\u201cIt is our right to request compensation for the consequences of these actions. The assertion that a program has been destroyed, forcing a nation to abandon peaceful nuclear programs aimed at fulfilling energy, medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and developmental needs, is a significant miscalculation,\u201d he explained.
\nAraqchi further asserted that a program under the constant supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and conducted in accordance with international law encompasses far more than just physical structures.
\n\u201cThe indomitable will of a nation that has achieved the pinnacle of scientific knowledge is not easily undermined.
\nAraqchi noted that the true damage lies in the impact on the non-proliferation regime, stating, \u201cThe attack on nuclear facilities monitored by the IAEA, coupled with the failure of Western countries to condemn it, represents an assault on the foundations of international law, particularly the non-proliferation regime.\u201d
\nAraqchi emphasized that for renewed talks, the United States must accept responsibility for its actions toward Iran. He warned that further sanctions or military threats would undermine diplomatic efforts.
\nHe also addressed suggestions from the three European countries regarding the activation of the sanctions mechanism outlined in the 2015 nuclear deal, stating that such a move would be tantamount to a military attack and would essentially negate Europe\u2019s role in discussions concerning Iran\u2019s peaceful nuclear program.
\nAraqchi reaffirmed that Iran has no intention of withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and remains committed to it, but insisted that the treaty must not be applied in a one-sided manner.
\n\u201cWe enrich uranium based on our rights under the NPT and have consistently affirmed our lack of military intentions. Even amidst attacks and violations, we have not deviated from our stated policy on nuclear weapons, which is firmly grounded in a fatwa prohibiting the production, stockpiling, or use of weapons of mass destruction,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThe level of enrichment is determined by Iran\u2019s needs. We have previously established a single-digit benchmark, particularly for the Tehran Research Reactor, which is utilized for medicinal and therapeutic purposes involving radiopharmaceuticals,\u201d Araqchi concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TEHRAN Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that in order for the talks on Tehran\u2019s nuclear program to restart, it must be guaranteed that the US does not take military action amid negotiations. In a written interview with Le Monde, Araqchi set out Iran\u2019s conditions for returning to the nuclear negotiations. He emphasized that the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":489745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-489729","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n