Iranian FM downplays quick resumption of US-Iran talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cast doubt on the swift resumption of nuclear negotiations with the United States, stating that Tehran requires firm assurances against future military attacks before re-engaging in dialogue.
His comments come in the wake of recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which he described as having "everlasting consequences."
Araghchi's remarks, made in an interview with CBS Evening News on Monday, directly addressed recent suggestions by US President Donald Trump that nuclear talks could resume as early as this week.
"I don't think negotiations will restart as quickly as that," Araghchi stated.
"In order for us to decide to re-engage, we would have to first ensure that America will not revert to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations."
The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized that "more time is needed" for such considerations, though he maintained that "the doors of diplomacy will never slam shut."
The US joined “Israel's” campaign against Iran by bombing three key nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified underground facility in Fordow, on June 21, following an initial wave of “Israeli” strikes on June 13.
While President Trump asserted on his Truth Social platform that the US had "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear facilities and that he was "not offering Iran ANYTHING," Araghchi downplayed the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear program.
He reiterated that "one cannot obliterate the technology and science for enrichment through bombings," adding that Iran would be able to "expeditiously repair the damages and make up for the lost time" if it chose to do so.
This echoes a recent assessment from the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, who indicated that Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months.
Prior to the recent hostilities, the US and Iran had engaged in five rounds of indirect talks. These discussions reportedly centered on limiting Iran's nuclear program, with some proposals suggesting a regional nuclear consortium where Iran could maintain enrichment capped at 3.67% purity.
