Tehran Open to Direct Nuclear Dialogue — If Respect Comes First
Tehran,August 13(HS): Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref declared that Tehran is willing to engage in direct negotiations with the United States over nuclear issues — but only if the conditions are right. He dismissed Washington’s demand
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref


Tehran,August 13(HS): Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref declared that Tehran is willing to engage in direct negotiations with the United States over nuclear issues — but only if the conditions are right. He dismissed Washington’s demand for Iran to completely abandon uranium enrichment as “a joke,” calling it an unrealistic and unacceptable precondition.

Aref stressed that under international law, Iran has an undeniable right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and that right “will never be surrendered.” Any talks, he said, must be grounded in equality and mutual respect. “If coming to the table means giving up our legitimate rights, then such talks are pointless,” he added.

This stance comes in the wake of the abrupt halt in June 2025 to the sixth round of indirect Tehran-Washington nuclear negotiations, following Israeli and U.S. airstrikes that damaged key Iranian nuclear facilities. Those attacks ramped up tensions between the two sides.

The U.S. and its Western allies accuse Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian program — an allegation Tehran strongly denies, insisting its nuclear work is solely for peaceful ends such as energy generation and medical research.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar


 rajesh pande