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Iran is prepared to reinitiate atomic discussions with the United States as long as it is treated with "dignity" and "respect", Iran's foreign minister has declared.

Abbas Araghchi declared solely negotiations worked, and revealed new appeals had originated from go-betweens to reopen negotiations with the American leadership. He said Iran had zero secret atomic facilities, and Iran could not yet allow the global atomic watchdog to inspect struck enrichment centers for safety concerns.

Walking a Difficult Course

The foreign minister is walking a complex route since Iran wishes not to be perceived to be proceeding from a stance of vulnerability, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had emerged more powerful militarily and emotionally from the joint assault on its atomic facilities in June.

He was speaking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "an absolute privilege to enrich uranium domestically that it will always maintain" – the key factor of the deadlock in the prior discussions.

Previous Negotiations Unexpectedly Ended

The prior phases of negotiations between the US and Iran were brought to an abrupt and acrimonious conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with American backing, attacked Tehran's atomic facilities in a two-week conflict that ended with the American leader declaring the facilities had been obliterated. Subsequently, Western states used their right to reinstate international penalties, but Iran asserts they have not had a significant effect.

Magic Solution Suggested

Iran's diplomats stated they felt they had reached a "magic solution" to the enrichment issue in prior discussions, when it was settled an domestic cooperative with American involvement could refine atomic fuel. Both sides would have been able to declare success since local refinement would have remained and the US could be confident that Iran's atomic project was solely for peaceful purposes.

It had not been agreed in the discussions that Washington's technical specialists could function on Iranian soil, but that was a logical implication of the partnership suggestion. Diplomats asserted three times they had secured an understanding with Trump's special envoy the US official only for the arrangement to disintegrate due to "spoilers in Washington".

Present Position

Iran's diplomats stated the consortium offer was now off the table, but it seems highly likely the proposal could be reintroduced in some form if talks reopen.

Trump last week claimed he had been getting signals that Iran desired to resume discussions, but in private Tehran representatives state they are not yet getting coherent offers from the United States either directly or from key regional mediators, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Iran's state department has been charged of non-responsiveness in the wake of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Iran states diplomacy is not part of a performance.

Political Standpoint

In his remarks to the forum, designed to paint the US as a controlling nation that exploits the notion of worldwide standards, Araghchi declared the fortnight-long engagement revealed the dispute could not be settled by combat operations. He asserted the strikes began with a Washington's ultimatum for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an absolute demand for a truce.

Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were executed with full US knowledge and cooperation, making confidence difficult to rebuild.

Negotiations Remains the Primary Resolution

Araghchi declared: "It was not Iran that had deserted dialogue; it was the United States and the Western nations that had consistently tried to enforce their desires during the negotiations. Negotiations can still be alive and stays the final solution to settle disagreements, but its criteria, rules and principles must be followed."

"If they speak to the Iranian people with the language of respect and honor, they will receive a response in the same tone."

Repair and Rebuilding

In what is described by Iran's diplomats as the struggle of restoration and recovery, Araghchi said he was confident Iran's defence capabilities "have significantly improved than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. All our capabilities have been rebuilt. We acquired many lessons from this war; we have identified our personal limitations and the shortcomings of the enemy."

He continued: "We managed to survive this conflict. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to eliminate, stays intact. The facilities and gear, if damaged, will be rebuilt; what is important is the determination of the nation of Iran and then the national cohesion that they sought to undermine, but did not succeed to shatter. The nation of Iran have developed more resilient, more cohesive, and more backing of the leadership and the country in the face of this invasion."