Iran Open to Nuclear Talks if U.S., Israel Halt Attacks

Tehran is prepared to restart indirect negotiations with Washington on the nuclear issue if the United States and Israel guarantee that there will be no further military attacks on Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

“If the Americans give us assurances that no military action will be taken during the talks, we are ready for indirect negotiations,” Araghchi stated. “We must receive guarantees that these talks will be honest, fair, and based on mutual interest.”

According to the minister, recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan have not altered the country’s position. Iran continues to defend its right to enrich uranium within its borders. “When Israel attacked us, negotiations were already in progress — the U.S. joined afterward. Therefore, any new talks must be different from the previous ones,” Araghchi added.

On June 13, Israel launched a military operation against Iran. Less than 24 hours later, Iran retaliated. Nine days later, on June 22, Israeli airstrikes targeted nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, escalating the conflict. In response, Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar — the largest U.S. military installation in the region — on the evening of June 23.

On June 24, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a full ceasefire.