Iran holds off on nuclear talks as US presses for quick deal
Photo: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (Getty Images)
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US is trying to revive nuclear talks with Tehran. However, Iran is in no rush to do so, informs Bloomberg.
"The Americans insist on returning to the negotiating table," Araghchi said, adding that Iran has received "multiple messages."
He said the country is weighing options on the timing, location, and structure of possible talks but is "in no rush to enter into reckless negotiations."
Araghchi also said Iran needs guarantees it will not face renewed attacks if the talks fail.
"Some assurances have been expressed that there will be no war again, and we are reviewing these. If an opportunity arises to secure the interests of the Iranian people, we won’t miss it. The doors of diplomacy are never closed," he explained.
The minister confirmed Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "has not stopped."
At the same time, he added that monitoring requests will now be reviewed "on a case-by-case basis" and carried out exclusively through Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Background
Araghchi's statements followed a dinner between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, during which Trump expressed readiness to lift sanctions on Iran.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, leading the US delegation at current talks, said a meeting with Iran is expected within the week.
It is worth noting that Araghchi was the lead negotiator in US talks mediated by Oman. Those talks collapsed after Israel began bombing Iranian nuclear sites on June 13.
The strikes killed several senior military officials and nuclear scientists.
Later, on June 22, the US joined the Israeli strikes with attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Soon after, Trump declared Iran's nuclear infrastructure was completely destroyed. Iranian officials said the sites were seriously damaged but not destroyed.
In response, Iran launched missiles at a US airbase in Qatar. The US did not retaliate, and Trump announced a ceasefire the same day.
By late June, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect and remains in place despite mutual accusations of violations.
Today, Axios reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has not abandoned the idea of imposing himself as a mediator in a deal between Iran and the US. Specifically, Putin is urging Tehran to agree to Washington's demand to stop uranium enrichment.
