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Iran is prepared to resume nuclear discussions with Washington on condition that it is treated with "dignity" and "respect", Tehran's foreign minister has announced.

The Iranian diplomat declared exclusively dialogue produced results, and disclosed fresh requests had originated from intermediaries to reopen talks with the US government. He asserted Iran had zero secret atomic facilities, and Iran was not yet able to permit the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect bombed nuclear sites for security reasons.

Navigating a Complex Path

Araghchi is treading a challenging course since Iran does not want be seen to be proceeding from a position of disadvantage, and he consistently maintained that Iran had emerged stronger militarily and mentally from the coordinated strike on its atomic facilities in June.

He was speaking at a defense forum in Tehran where he reaffirmed that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to process nuclear material within its borders that it will always maintain" – the key factor of the stalemate in the earlier negotiations.

Earlier Talks Unexpectedly Ended

The prior phases of discussions between the US and Iran were brought to an abrupt and bitter conclusion on 12 June when the Israeli government, with US support, targeted Iranian nuclear sites in a fortnight-long engagement that culminated with the American leader declaring the facilities had been eliminated. Afterward, Western states exercised their right to reimpose global restrictions, but Iran maintains they have not had a significant effect.

Ideal Resolution Offered

Iranian officials claimed they felt they had reached a "ideal resolution" to the nuclear fuel concern in earlier negotiations, when it was agreed an domestic cooperative with American involvement could enrich uranium. Each party would have been able to declare success since home-based processing would have continued and the US could be certain that Iran's atomic project was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been agreed in the negotiations that US nuclear scientists could operate inside Iran, but that was a reasonable assumption of the cooperative offer. Diplomats asserted repeatedly they had reached agreement with Trump's special envoy the US official only for the deal to collapse due to "spoilers in Washington".

Existing Status

Iranian officials said the partnership proposal was now no longer available, but it seems very probable the suggestion could be revived in various formats if discussions reopen.

Trump in recent days stated he had been getting signals that Iran wanted to restart talks, but in private Iranian officials state they are not yet getting consistent overtures from Washington either explicitly or from significant local go-betweens, such as the Qatari government, the Egyptian leadership, Oman and the Saudi kingdom. The Tehran's diplomatic corps has been charged of passivity in the face of the US president's straightforward manner, but Iran states diplomacy is not part of a performance.

Negotiating Standpoint

In his remarks to the conference, designed to paint the US as a dominant force that exploits the concept of global regulations, Araghchi stated the two-week conflict revealed the clash could not be settled by armed force. He asserted the attacks started with a Washington's ultimatum for an complete Tehran capitulation and culminated with an complete request for a halt to hostilities.

Iran is convinced the initial Israeli attacks were carried out with total Washington understanding and collaboration, making confidence hard to restore.

Negotiations Stays the Ultimate Resolution

The foreign minister stated: "Tehran was not the one that had fled negotiations; it was the United States and the western countries that had consistently tried to enforce their will during the talks. Negotiations can still be active and remains the final solution to address disagreements, but its criteria, regulations and tenets must be respected."

"Provided that they talk to the Iranian people with the language of respect and honor, they will get a response in the same tone."

Repair and Rebuilding

In what is described by Iran's diplomats as the conflict of recovery and rebuilding, Araghchi said he was certain Iran's security strengths "are considerably enhanced than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Our entire military infrastructure have been restored. We gained numerous insights from this conflict; we have come to know our personal limitations and the shortcomings of the adversary."

He continued: "We successfully passed this war. Our nuclear technology, which they planned to eliminate, stays intact. The sites and machinery, if eliminated, will be restored; what is important is the resolve of the nation of Iran and then the social solidarity that they sought to undermine, but were unable to destroy. The citizens of Tehran have become more powerful, more cohesive, and more backing of the administration and the country in the wake of this attack."