Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is open to resuming negotiations with the United States — only under clear conditions. In an interview with France’s Le Monde, Araghchi said that Iran would return to the table if Washington guarantees it will not launch further attacks and agrees to provide compensation for the damage caused during US airstrikes on its nuclear infrastructure.
“The diplomacy track is not closed,” he said, “but it’s a two-way street. The United States must show responsibility for its actions, especially the recent strikes which targeted nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision.”
NUCLEAR PROGRAMME DISRUPTED, NOT DESTROYED
Araghchi dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program had been “obliterated” in the airstrikes carried out from June 13 to 25. Citing IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, he pointed out that the program had only been delayed by a few months.
“Following the US attack, serious damage was done to our peaceful facilities, and we are still assessing it. We are entitled to seek compensation,” he said. “The idea that a nation would abandon its peaceful nuclear program, which serves our energy, medical, and agricultural needs, is a miscalculation.”
The foreign minister also emphasised that Iran’s nuclear activities remain under IAEA oversight and within international legal frameworks. “The will of a people who have achieved scientific progress cannot be destroyed with bombs,” he added.
He warned that what’s truly at risk is the global non-proliferation regime. “An attack on nuclear facilities under IAEA monitoring — without condemnation from Western countries — is an attack on international law itself,” Araghchi said, referring the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), the Iran nuclear deal abandoned by the US in 2018.
NO TALKS WITHOUT GUARANTEES, SAYS IRAN
When asked if Iran would return to the negotiating table after the bombings, Araghchi confirmed that talks could happen — but only if the US changes course.
“It is essential that the US pledges not to repeat such military actions during negotiations,” he said.
He also confirmed that diplomatic channels remain open through mediating countries. “Discussions are taking place indirectly via friendly countries or mediators. Iran has always respected dialogue, and never violated this principle,” he added.
On the issue of uranium enrichment, Araghchi said Iran is operating within its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and reiterated that its nuclear programme is strictly non-military. Enrichment levels have increased in recent years, he explained, in response to unmet obligations from other countries — including Argentina, which failed to supply material for Iran’s medical research reactor.
“These details can be negotiated, but the principle of enrichment is a right and a necessity,” he said.
NO INTENTION TO EXIT NPT
Araghchi said Iran has no intention of withdrawing from the NPT, even after years of pressure, assassinations of nuclear scientists, and sabotage campaigns — which he blamed on Israeli intelligence.
“These cowardly acts are violations of international law,” he said. “Iran has already neutralised many such networks thanks to its intelligence agencies and the cooperation of our people.”
Araghchi reiterated Iran’s willingness to cooperate on a peaceful nuclear programme — including regional partnerships — provided Iran’s rights and interests are respected.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump signalled a possible de-escalation in hostilities with Iran, saying he hoped America would not have to launch another strike against the Islamic Republic.
“I hope we are not going to have to do that. I can’t imagine wanting to do that. I can’t imagine them wanting to do that. They want to meet. They want to work something out. They are very different now than they were two weeks ago,” Trump told reporters when asked if more military action was on the table.
– Ends
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