Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, said talks with the US cannot start again until the US stops bombing Iran. The US hit three Iranian nuclear sites last week, which increased tensions between the two countries. Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that Iran needs clear proof the US will not attack again during any talks. Without this, Iran refuses to set a date or discuss how negotiations will happen.
Earlier this month, Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear and military sites. The US joined by bombing the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities on June 21. These attacks happened while both countries were discussing Iran’s nuclear program. Takht-Ravanchi said the US told Iran it does not want to remove Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. However, Iran remains cautious and wants guarantees to avoid more strikes.
Takht-Ravanchi also insisted Iran has the right to enrich uranium. He said Iran can discuss the level and amount, but zero enrichment is unacceptable. He called demands for zero uranium enrichment “the law of the jungle.” Iran claims its nuclear work is for peaceful use, but Israel and the US fear it is close to making a bomb.
It is unclear how badly the nuclear sites were damaged. US President Trump claimed the sites were “totally destroyed.” Still, the head of the UN nuclear agency said Iran might restart uranium enrichment within months. Iran’s nuclear activity increased after the US left a 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. Since then, Iran has produced uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, near weapons grade.
The future of talks depends on the US ending attacks. Iran wants to be sure it will not face more military actions while negotiating. Until then, both sides remain far from an agreement. The world watches closely as tensions grow in the region.