Iran says US preconditions render talks impossible for now
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Tehran remained open to resuming talks with Washington but US preconditions rendered negotiations impossible for now.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Tehran remained open to resuming talks with Washington but US preconditions rendered negotiations impossible for now.
“Because of the US approach, a balanced and fair negotiation is currently not possible,” Araghchi told reporters. “Negotiation is worlds apart from taking dictation and following orders.”
An impasse over Iran's disputed nuclear program continues to fester even after US President Donald Trump said US strikes on three Iranian facilities in June "obliterated" its capabilities.
Western powers seek the resumption of talks halted by the Israeli-US military campaign, but Tehran says US demands that it rein in missile capabilities and support for armed allies in the region are a non-starter.
Iran's security chief Ali Larijani also said on Thursday that Tehran was open to the idea of talks but without any set goal.
“Iran has not abandoned real negotiations and will not do so,” Larijani said in an interview with Pakistan’s Urdu-language HUM News. "Anyone who truly seeks negotiation does not predetermine the outcome; if they do, then it is not a negotiation."
US talks with Tehran over its disputed nuclear program began earlier this year with a 60-day ultimatum set by Trump. On the 61st day, June 13, Israel launched a surprise military campaign which was capped with US strikes on June 22 targeting key nuclear sites in Esfahan, Natanz and Fordow.
“Trump claimed he stopped and destroyed Iran’s nuclear activity," added Larijani, who is also a key advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. "Let's assume Trump is telling the truth; then what do they want? Has their problem been solved?”
Last week, Reuters reported citing two sources familiar with the exchange that Pezeshkian had urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to help persuade Trump to revive nuclear talks.
On Wednesday, Araghchi told France 24 in an interview that no direct nuclear negotiations are taking place with the United States, but channels remain open if Washington decided to change its stance.
Asked about the mediation of Saudi Arabia between Iran and the United States, Araghchi said intermediaries were plentiful but the problem was Washington's position.
