Tehran – A senior Iranian diplomat has asserted that diplomacy remains a viable path to resolving disputes surrounding the nation’s nuclear program, provided that established principles and protocols are respected.
Abbas Araqchi, speaking at an international conference focused on international law, emphasized the importance of adhering to the fundamental tenets of negotiation and dialogue. He stated that recent actions against Iran had underscored the necessity of diplomatic solutions.
“Negotiations and diplomacy have rules and foundations,” Araqchi stated. “No party can achieve through negotiations what it failed to achieve through conflict and then impose its conditions on the other party. The first step in diplomacy and negotiation is to recognize and accept the reality that negotiations are different from dictation, coercion, and pressure by force. In negotiations, there is talk of exchange and mutual benefit; one party cannot get everything it wants. Negotiations and diplomacy must be based on reasonable and logical foundations and conducted with seriousness and honesty.”
Araqchi indicated Tehran’s willingness to engage in negotiations if these conditions are met, adding, “The United States and other powers must realize that there is only one way to resolve issues with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that is through diplomacy and adopting a language of respect and dignity. If they speak to the Iranian people with dignity and respect, they will be answered in the same language.”
Araqchi also addressed the current status of uranium enrichment, stating that Iran is not currently enriching uranium at any of its facilities. “There is no enrichment currently, given that our enrichment facilities have been attacked,” he explained.
The remarks come at a crucial juncture as international efforts to revive the nuclear agreement continue to face challenges. The diplomat’s emphasis on mutual respect and adherence to diplomatic principles could signal a potential pathway forward.
