Washington (Web Desk/ Agencies): Iran has indicated that it would be open to nuclear talks with the United States (US), but only if the discussions focus on addressing concerns related to the potential militarization of its nuclear program, rather than any attempt to dismantle it.
This message was conveyed through a post by Iran’s mission to the United Nations on Sunday, following remarks made by the country’s supreme leader, who criticized what he called "bullying" tactics after US President Donald Trump threatened military action.
"If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-a-vis any potential militarisation of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration," the post read. "However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme to claim that what Obama failed to achieve has now been accomplished, such negotiations will never take place," it added, referring to the 2015 nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The JCPOA was initially signed under then-President Barack Obama and offered Iran sanctions relief in return for restrictions on its nuclear activities.
However, when Trump became president in 2018, he withdrew the U.S. from the deal and imposed harsh sanctions on Iran. Iran adhered to the terms of the deal for another year but began gradually scaling back its commitments after the US withdrawal.
In the years since, Tehran has significantly increased its uranium enrichment, going far beyond the limits set in the JCPOA. US officials now warn that Iran could potentially produce a nuclear weapon in just a matter of weeks if it chooses to do so.
In response to Trump’s recent offer of new talks on Iran’s nuclear program, which included a warning of possible military action if Iran refused, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that no letter from Trump had been received as of Saturday.
"Some bully governments — I really don’t know of any more appropriate term for some foreign figures and leaders than the word bullying — insist on negotiations," Khamenei said in a speech on Saturday, reacting to Trump’s threats. "Their negotiations are not aimed at solving problems, they aim at domination," he added.
While Iran has rejected the idea of negotiations with the US that would dismantle its nuclear program, it continues to engage in talks with the European powers that were part of the original deal—Britain, France, and Germany—in an effort to resolve concerns over its nuclear activities.
