The US should rule out any additional strikes on Iran if it desires to renew diplomatic talks, Tehran’s deputy international minister has advised the BBC.
Majid Takht-Ravanchi mentioned the Trump administration advised Iran by means of mediators that it needed to return to negotiations this week, however had not made its place clear on the “crucial query” of additional assaults whereas talks are happening.
The US and Iran had been concerned in talks over Iran’s nuclear programme when Israel struck Iranian nuclear websites and army infrastructure earlier this month and Iran responded with missiles.
The US turned instantly concerned within the battle on 21 June when it bombed three of Iran’s nuclear websites.
Takht-Ravanchi additionally mentioned Iran would “insist” on having the ability to enrich uranium for what it says are peaceable functions, rejecting accusations that it’s secretly transferring in direction of growing a nuclear bomb.
He mentioned Iran had been “denied entry to nuclear materials” for its analysis programme so that they wanted “to depend on ourselves”.
“The extent of that may be mentioned, the capability could be mentioned, however to say that you shouldn’t have enrichment, it is best to have zero enrichment, and if do you not agree, we’ll bomb you – that’s the legislation of the jungle,” the deputy international minister mentioned.
Israel started its assaults, concentrating on nuclear and army websites in addition to assassinating commanders and scientists, in Iran on 13 June, saying Tehran was near constructing a nuclear weapon.
On Monday, Iran mentioned that, based mostly on the newest forensics information, 935 individuals had been killed by the Israeli strikes.
In keeping with the newest information reported by Israel’s well being ministry, 28 individuals have been killed in Israel since 13 June when Iran responded by attacking Israel.
On 21 June, the US turned concerned within the battle, dropping bombs on three of Iran’s nuclear websites: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
The extent of the injury brought on to Iran’s nuclear programme has been unclear, and Takht-Ravanchi mentioned he couldn’t give an actual evaluation.
Rafael Grossi, head of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA), mentioned the strikes brought on extreme however “not complete” injury, whereas US President Donald Trump declared that Iran’s nuclear amenities had been “completely obliterated”.
Grossi additionally mentioned Iran had the capability to start out enriching uranium once more in “a matter of months”. In response, Takht-Ravanchi mentioned he didn’t know if that might be the case.
Iran’s relationship with the IAEA has turn into more and more strained. On Wednesday, its parliament moved to droop cooperation with the atomic watchdog, accusing the IAEA of siding with Israel and the US.
Trump has mentioned he would “completely” take into account bombing Iran once more if intelligence discovered that it might enrich uranium to regarding ranges.
Takht-Ravanchi mentioned no date had been agreed upon for a attainable return to talks and he didn’t know what could be on the agenda, after Trump recommended discussions might happen this week.
Iran’s deputy international minister mentioned: “Proper now we’re in search of a solution to this query – are we going to see a repetition of an act of aggression whereas we’re participating in dialogue?”
He mentioned the US needed to be “fairly clear on this crucial query” and “what they’re going to supply us to be able to make the mandatory confidence required for such a dialogue”.
Requested if Iran might take into account rethinking its nuclear programme as a part of any deal, probably in return for sanctions reduction and funding within the nation, Takht-Ravanchi mentioned: “Why ought to we comply with such a proposal?”
He reiterated that Iran’s programme, together with enriching uranium to 60%, was “for peaceable functions”.
Below a 2015 nuclear cope with world powers, Iran was not permitted to counterpoint uranium above 3.67% purity – the extent required for gasoline for industrial nuclear energy crops – and was not allowed to hold out any enrichment at its Fordo plant for 15 years.
Nevertheless, Trump deserted the settlement in 2018 throughout his first time period as president, saying it did too little to cease a pathway to a bomb, and reinstated US sanctions.
Iran retaliated by more and more breaching the restrictions. The IAEA mentioned it resumed enrichment at Fordo in 2021 and had reached about 60% enrichment – a brief, technical step away from weapons grade, or 90% – to probably make 9 nuclear bombs.
Pressed on European and Western leaders having a scarcity of belief in direction of Iran, Takht-Ravanchi accused some European leaders of a “ridiculous” endorsement of US and Israeli strikes.
He mentioned those that are criticising Iran over its nuclear programme “ought to criticise the best way that we’ve been handled” and criticise the US and Israel.
He added: “And if they don’t have the center to criticise America, they need to maintain silent, not attempt to justify the aggression.”
Takht-Ravanchi additionally mentioned Iran had acquired messages by means of mediators that the US did “not wish to interact in regime change in Iran” by concentrating on the nation’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to as on Iranians to “rise for his or her freedom” to carry down the clerical rule of Khamenei, however, after final week’s ceasefire was reached, Trump mentioned he didn’t need the identical.
Takht-Ravanchi insisted it will not occur and the concept was “tantamount to a futile train”.
He mentioned that though some Iranians “might need criticism of some actions by the federal government, in the case of international aggression they might be united to confront it”.
The deputy international minister mentioned it was “not fairly clear” if the ceasefire with Israel would final, however Iran would proceed to look at it “so long as there is no such thing as a army assault in opposition to us”.
He mentioned Iran’s Arab allies within the Persian Gulf had been “doing their finest to attempt to put together the mandatory ambiance for a dialogue”. Qatar is understood to have performed a key position in brokering the present ceasefire.
He added: “We don’t want warfare. We wish to interact in dialogue and diplomacy, however we’ve to be ready, we’ve to be cautious, to not be shocked once more.”
Lyse Doucet is being allowed to report from Iran on the situation that none of her experiences are utilized by the BBC’s Persian service. This legislation from Iranian authorities applies to all worldwide media companies working in Iran.
