Iran says new US sanctions undermine diplomacy ahead of talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed for Rome on Friday to lead a delegation in the fifth round of indirect talks with the United States, Iranian state media reported.

The talks come amid growing skepticism in Tehran over the prospects for progress, with officials warning that continued negotiations must be based on clear conditions.

Washington is seeking the same outcome as Israel in ongoing nuclear talks with Tehran, Iran's state-run Press TV reported on Thursday citing an unnamed political source, and is using political pressure instead of military threats.

“What the Americans want is the same Israeli plan,” the source was quoted as saying. “Only instead of a military attack, (the Americans) politically want Iran to give up its nuclear independence of its own accord.”

“The American side says enrichment must stop in Iran, and if that is their goal, there will be no agreement,” Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with state media.

“We will not give up our rights, and our nuclear program, including enrichment, must continue."

Iran insists its disputed nuclear program is peaceful and sees domestic enrichment as a right enshrined by international covenants.

Western countries and Mideast arch-nemesis Israel doubt Iran's intentions.

US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday that Washington was optimistic about the talks which are due for a fifth round in Rome on Friday because Iranian diplomats were still talking despite the hard US line on enrichment.

"The fifth round of the nuclear talks would not be happening if we didn't think that there was potential for it," Bruce told reporters on Thursday.

"Clearly we believe that we are going to succeed," she added. "Most of our leaders have who have spoken on it (have said talks are) about no enrichment, and the Iranians are (still) at that table. So they also understand what our position is, and they continue to go."

Iran prepared to respond to any Israeli strike

Addressing reports that Israel may be preparing for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Araghchi said he had written to UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning that Iran will defend its nuclear facilities if attacked.

"If the threats continue, we will be forced to implement special arrangements to protect our nuclear facilities and materials, and those who need to understand what these special arrangements are will certainly understand," he said.

CNN reported Tuesday that US intelligence indicates Israel is preparing for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, citing multiple American officials.

Araghchi also said that Israel is against US negotiations with Iran and in recent months they have tried their best to drag Washington into war with Tehran.

“Whether or not the US participates in an attack alongside Israel, we see it as a partner in aggression. We do not accept the idea that Israel could act without American coordination,” he said.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that nuclear talks with the United States will not result in an agreement if Washington insists on Iran halting its uranium enrichment.

“The American side says enrichment must stop in Iran, and if that is their goal, there will be no agreement,” Araghchi said.

He added that the negotiations have not yet reached the stage of securing US commitments or guarantees on lifting sanctions and that fundamental disagreements still exist.

“We will not give up our rights, and our nuclear program, including enrichment, must continue,” he said.

The United Nations has confirmed that it received a letter from Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warning of a possible Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said the letter was delivered to their office on Thursday morning and, as requested, will be shared with the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Dujarric also pointed to the rising use of threatening rhetoric and the potential for escalating military activity, saying it was a common cause for concern.