Iran demands end of US strikes if it wants negotiations

(MENAFN) Iran has stated that the United States must commit to halting further military strikes if it hopes to resume diplomatic negotiations, according to comments made by Tehran's deputy foreign minister during an interview with a news agency.

Majid Takht-Ravanchi revealed that the U.S., via intermediaries, had expressed interest in re-engaging in talks with Iran this week. However, he noted that Washington has not clarified its position regarding the “very important question” of whether attacks on Iran would continue during the talks.

Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program were ongoing earlier this month when Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, prompting missile retaliation from Tehran. The situation escalated further on June 21 when the U.S. conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

Takht-Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran’s stance on uranium enrichment, insisting it is for peaceful purposes, and dismissed allegations of a covert weapons program. He emphasized the country's need to develop its own nuclear capabilities due to restricted access to necessary materials.

"The level of that can be discussed, the capacity can be discussed, but to say that you should not have enrichment, you should have zero enrichment, and if do you not agree, we will bomb you — that is the law of the jungle," he said.

The recent conflict began on June 13 when Israel targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure and reportedly assassinated military personnel and scientists, claiming Iran was nearing nuclear weapon capability. Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli sites, igniting nearly two weeks of sustained hostilities.

During that period, the U.S. bombed Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. The exact extent of the damage remains uncertain. While Iran has not disclosed a detailed assessment, Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), described the damage as significant though not complete. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the facilities were “totally obliterated.”

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