The Islamic Republic has never closed the door to negotiations with the United States but insisted that any new round of talks must begin with clear evidence of American good faith, a senior member of Iran’s Expediency Council said on Thursday.
“We have never shut down the path of negotiation, but this time they must prove their honesty,” said Mohammadreza Bahonar.
Turning to the nuclear issue, the council member pointed to Iran’s current membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“We are now part of the NPT, and the Agency must defend the interests of its members, including Iran,” he said.
“If the International Atomic Energy Agency does not defend our rights, if it fails to condemn attacks on our nuclear facilities, if it does not raise our case in the international system and voice our victimization, then what benefit is there for us to remain in the NPT? There is no reason.”
