Iran says US is not ready for ‘equal and fair’ nuclear talks
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US cannot expect to gain what it could not in war through negotiations.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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DUBAI – Washington’s current approach towards Tehran does not indicate any readiness for “equal and fair negotiations”, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Nov 16, after US President Donald Trump hinted last week at potential discussions.
Following Israel’s attack on Iran in June
The US, its European allies and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear programme as a veil for efforts to develop the capability to produce weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Tehran and Washington underwent five rounds of indirect nuclear talks prior to the 12-day war, but faced obstacles such as the issue of domestic uranium enrichment, which the US wants Iran to forego.
“The US cannot expect to gain what it couldn’t in war through negotiations,” Mr Araghchi said during a Tehran conference titled International Law Under Assault.
“Iran will always be prepared to engage in diplomacy, but not negotiations meant for dictation,” he added.
During the same conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh accused Washington of pursuing its wartime goals through “negotiations as a show”. REUTERS
