Talks, Attacks, Impasse
Saeed Khatibzadeh, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, conveyed the belief that diplomacy is the primary path forward to resolve the nuclear standoff.
However, he clarified that this diplomacy cannot be leveraged as a tool for coercion, particularly if the US and Israel attempt to extract concessions they couldn't secure militarily. He pointed out the breakdown of the negotiations, which coincided with Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites during the June war. Iran has made it clear that it will not compromise on its national security, nor will it entirely cease enrichment activities, as these demands are considered unacceptable for any sovereign nation. Khatibzadeh's statements reflected Iran's perspective on the situation, including their viewpoint that the attacks and the demands are interlinked.
Security and Enrichment
Iran has firmly stated that it will not back down on matters of national security nor will it completely stop enriching uranium. This stance represents a core aspect of their position in the ongoing nuclear discussions. Khatibzadeh explicitly stated that no nation would ever concede to terms that undermine its sovereignty. He added that the attacks on their safeguarded nuclear facilities by the US and Israel occurred during active negotiations. The minister criticized what he perceived as the disregard for risk by the US and Israel and the assassination of Iranian commanders. In this context, Iran underscored that it won't be bullied by those violating international laws, suggesting this behavior further complicated and undermined the talks.
Regional Instability Blame
Khatibzadeh didn't shy away from accusing Israel of destabilizing the region, a stance supported by comments from Oman's foreign minister, who identified Israel as the primary source of insecurity. Furthermore, he argued that groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah emerged as a direct response to Israeli actions, not as Iranian creations. He asserted that these resistance groups would exist regardless of Iranian support, emphasizing their origins in the context of Israeli actions. Iran's perspective is that this is a case of external forces attempting to place blame on Iran. The diplomat's statements highlighted the underlying tensions and perceived grievances that shape the dynamics in the region, adding another layer of complexity to the nuclear talks.
Diplomacy and Pressure
According to Khatibzadeh, Iran has maintained its belief that diplomacy is the most viable solution. However, he warned against the strategy of coercion, which attempts to achieve through diplomacy what could not be attained through military actions. He reiterated that any negotiation needs to be based on mutual respect and equal footing rather than one-sided demands, indicating Iran’s readiness to participate in meaningful dialogue. Iran has accused the US and Israel of betraying diplomacy by employing negotiations for pressure. Khatibzadeh warned that the negotiations should not become tools to pressure or coerce Iran. This also includes Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear activity and their belief that it is an essential right.
