Iran's foreign minister on Monday said that there was still time for the West to solve its nuclear impasse with Iran through dialogue while the UN nuclear watchdog's head cited a "difficult" phase of talks with Tehran.
Abbas Araghchi, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, said he plans to meet the UN nuclear watchdog later today and will also hold meetings with three European counterparts to discuss the looming reimposition of UN sanctions they triggered last month.
“At different times, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been tested, and they know we do not respond to the language of pressure and threats," Araghchi was quoted by official media as saying. "Rather, we respond in the language of respect and dignity. If there is a solution, it is only a diplomatic one.”
Araghchi said consultations with France, Germany and the United Kingdom are ongoing, and noted that the United States is also involved “directly or indirectly,” without elaborating.
Two months of fruitless Iran-US talks over Tehran's disputed nuclear program culminated in a surprise Israeli military campaign against Iran in June which was capped off by US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.
Following the attacks, Tehran suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. How to resume diplomacy and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections now remains a bone of contention between Iran and the West.
“We have emphasized our readiness for a diplomatic solution on the snapback mechanism, but one that secures Iran’s interests and addresses our security concerns,” Araghchi said. He warned Iran would take "the measures it must” if diplomacy fails.
UN sanctions on Iran, triggered through the so-called snapback mechanism by three European countries on August 28, are set to resume on September 28 after the UN Security Council rejected a resolution to keep the sanctions lifted in a 4–9 vote on September 19.
The sanctions would include an arms embargo, asset freezes and nuclear restrictions.
'Difficult juncture'
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, also in New York, told AFP the current situation with Iran is at a “difficult juncture.”
“It’s obviously quite a difficult juncture. It’s a very difficult situation we are facing right now,” Grossi said, adding that a series of talks are scheduled while all parties are gathered at the UN.
Iran and the IAEA signed a technical agreement in Cairo on September 9, mediated by Egypt, to make progress toward resuming nuclear inspections halted in June.
Tehran has warned that the deal will be void if new attacks or sanctions occur, though it views the agreement as a step toward de-escalation.
