
IRAN’S foreign minister said on Saturday that his country would accept a resumption of nuclear talks with the United States if there were assurances of no more attacks against it, state media reported.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a speech to Tehran-based foreign diplomats that Iran has always been ready and will be ready in the future for talks about its nuclear programme, but, “assurance should be provided that in case of a resumption of talks, the trend will not lead to war.”
Referring to the unprovoked, illegal Israeli attack on Iranian residential, nuclear and military sites, and the US strike on June 22, Mr Araghchi said that if the US and others wish to resume talks with Iran, “first of all, there should be a firm guarantee that such actions will not be repeated.
“The attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities has made it more difficult and complicated to achieve a solution based on negotiations.”
Following the 12-day war, Iran suspended co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog, which led to the departure of inspectors.
Iran accuses the International Atomic Energy Agency of passing on sensitive intelligence which allowed the Israelis to target scientists, academics and facilities.
Mr Araghchi said that under Iranian law, the country will answer the agency’s request for co-operation “case by case,” based on Iran’s interests.
He also said that any inspection by the agency should be done based on Iran’s “security” concerns as well as the safety of the inspectors.
“The risk of proliferation of radioactive ingredients and an explosion of ammunition that remains from the war in the attacked nuclear sites is serious,” he said.
Mr Araghchi also reiterated Iran’s position on the need to continue enriching uranium on its soil. US President Donald Trump has insisted that cannot happen.
Israel claims without evidence that it launched its attack because Tehran was within reach of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons.