Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, expressed Tehran’s interest to sign a “peaceful” nuclear agreement with the United States in an attempt to put an end to their decades-long dispute, according to Reuters.
Khatibzadeh also noted that this agreement shall never undermine Iran’s national security.
2015 Deal
In 2015, Iran signed a landmark 10-year deal with world powers to lift international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities.
However, the accord had long been in disarray after the United States unilaterally withdrew during President Donald Trump’s first term.
In response, Tehran gradually scaled back its own commitments.
Therefore, the talks sought to reach a new agreement that would curb Iran’s nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.
However, these talks faced key stumbling blocks such as uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, a step met with utter rejection by European powers which claimed that Tehran is enriching uranium for unpeaceful purposes.
Iran has denied this accusation and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Contradictory Messages
Khatibzadeh has accused Washington of sending Tehran contradictory messages about nuclear talks through third countries.
During the 12th Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, he also noted that the US has betrayed diplomacy by attacking Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran and the US held five rounds of nuclear talks before Israel targeted Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13.
Ruling out Negotiations
Last week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran will not cooperate with the US as long as it supports Israel and keeps military bases in regional countries and interferes in the Middle East.
“The Americans sometimes say they would like to cooperate with Iran. Cooperation with Iran is not possible as long as the U.S. continues to support the accursed Zionist regime, maintains military bases, and interferes in the region,” Khamenei said.
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