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Tehran is prepared to reinitiate atomic discussions with Washington provided that it is handled with "dignity" and "respect", Iran's top diplomat has declared.

The Iranian diplomat said exclusively dialogue worked, and revealed recent overtures had come from mediators to restart discussions with the Trump administration. He asserted Iran had zero undeclared nuclear sites, and Iran had not yet reached a point to authorize the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect bombed nuclear sites for protective measures.

Walking a Challenging Path

Araghchi is treading a difficult route since Iran wishes not to be seen to be proceeding from a situation of vulnerability, and he insisted repeatedly that Iran had emerged more resilient defensively and mentally from the coordinated strike on its atomic facilities in June.

He was talking at a security conference in Tehran where he reiterated that Iran had "a fundamental entitlement to refine atomic fuel within its borders that it will never give up" – the primary cause of the impasse in the previous talks.

Prior Talks Unexpectedly Concluded

The previous five rounds of talks between the US and Iran were ended suddenly and bitter end on 12 June when Israel, with Washington's assistance, targeted Iranian nuclear sites in a fortnight-long engagement that culminated with the US president declaring the facilities had been destroyed. Subsequently, EU nations used their right to reimpose international penalties, but Iran maintains they have not had a substantial consequence.

Ideal Resolution Offered

Iranian officials stated they felt they had attained a "magic solution" to the nuclear fuel concern in previous talks, when it was agreed an Iran-based consortium with American involvement could refine atomic fuel. Each party would have been able to declare success since local refinement would have persisted and the US could be assured that Iran's enrichment initiative was exclusively peaceful.

It had not been decided in the discussions that US nuclear scientists could operate within Iranian territory, but that was a reasonable assumption of the cooperative offer. Diplomats claimed repeatedly they had reached agreement with Washington's diplomat the American negotiator only for the agreement to fall apart due to "detractors in America".

Current Position

Tehran representatives declared the partnership proposal was now withdrawn, but it seems quite possible the suggestion could be revived in various formats if negotiations restart.

The American leader in recent days claimed he had been getting signals that Iran desired to restart talks, but in private Iranian officials say they are not yet receiving coherent offers from Washington either explicitly or from important Middle Eastern intermediaries, such as Qatar, the Egyptian leadership, the Omani authorities and the Saudi kingdom. The Iranian foreign ministry has been charged of passivity in the face of Washington's unmediated tactics, but Tehran states diplomacy is not part of a performance.

Diplomatic Position

In his speech to the conference, aimed to paint the US as a dominant force that misuses the notion of global regulations, Araghchi said the two-week conflict showed the conflict could not be settled by armed force. He stated the strikes commenced with a American requirement for an unconditional Iranian surrender and culminated with an unconditional call for a halt to hostilities.

Iran is certain the opening assaults from Tel Aviv were mounted with full US knowledge and coordination, making trust challenging to rebuild.

Dialogue Remains the Final Resolution

The foreign minister said: "It was not Iran that had deserted negotiations; it was the United States and the Western nations that had consistently tried to impose their demands during the discussions. Negotiations can still be viable and stays the final resolution to settle conflicts, but its criteria, guidelines and fundamentals must be followed."

"Provided that they address to the nation of Iran with the language of dignity and honor, they will get a reply in the same tone."

Recovery and Reconstruction

In what is portrayed by Iran's diplomats as the struggle of restoration and rebuilding, the foreign minister said he was confident Iran's defence capabilities "are considerably enhanced than prior to 13 or 14 June of this year. Every aspect of our defense have been reestablished. We gained multiple understandings from this war; we have identified our own weaknesses and the weaknesses of the enemy."

He continued: "We managed to survive this conflict. Our nuclear technology, which they intended to destroy, stays intact. The facilities and machinery, if destroyed, will be restored; what is essential is the determination of the citizens of Tehran and then the social solidarity that they aimed at, but were unable to break. The nation of Iran have become more powerful, more united, and more backing of the government and the nation in the aftermath of this assault."