Tehran ( The COW News Digital) Iran has firmly rejected any possibility of resuming nuclear negotiations with the United States if they are conditioned upon halting uranium enrichment. The announcement comes amidst rising regional tensions following recent Israeli airstrikes and renewed international calls for diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington.
Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated in an interview with the state-run IRNA news agency that “if the condition for talks is ending uranium enrichment, then negotiations are impossible.” His remarks clarify Iran’s unwavering stance on its right to enrich uranium for what it claims are peaceful purposes.
This response comes at a time when hopes were emerging for renewed dialogue between the two nations after a 12-day period of intense regional conflict. However, Tehran has reiterated it will not abandon its enrichment program, which remains at the center of global concerns regarding nuclear proliferation.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei confirmed that no specific date, time, or venue has been agreed upon for any potential meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials. “We have not yet received any formal proposal,” he added.
Previously, five rounds of indirect negotiations had taken place between Iran’s lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff, mediated by Oman. The sixth round was expected to resume in mid-June, but talks collapsed after Israel launched sudden airstrikes on Iranian military installations. The United States conducted limited air operations in support of Israel shortly thereafter, further souring the atmosphere.
Baghaei accused the U.S. of insincerity, saying Iran had “participated in the talks in good faith, but before the sixth round could begin, Israel, with U.S. backing, engaged in blatant aggression against us.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also weighed in, saying Iran still supports diplomacy. “We believe in dialogue and are committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution, but not at the cost of our sovereign rights,” he said.
Despite the growing tension, Iran has signaled it remains open to meaningful negotiations—provided they do not infringe upon what it considers its fundamental nuclear rights.
