The US must promise not to launch more strikes on Iran if it wants to restart diplomatic talks, Tehran’s deputy foreign minister told the BBC. Majid Takht-Ravanchi explained that the Trump administration told Iran through mediators it wanted to negotiate again this week. However, the US did not clarify its stance on whether it would carry out further attacks during the talks.
Earlier this month, Iran and the US discussed Iran’s nuclear program when Israel attacked Iranian nuclear sites and military targets. Iran responded with missile strikes. The US joined the conflict on June 21, bombing three of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Takht-Ravanchi emphasized Iran’s position that it should be allowed to enrich uranium for peaceful use. He rejected claims that Iran might be secretly working to develop a nuclear bomb. Iran has been cut off from nuclear materials for its research, so it must depend on itself.
He added that Iran can debate how much enrichment is allowed, but insisting Iran should have zero enrichment and threatening to bomb them if not is “law of the jungle.”
Since June 13, Israel has launched strikes on nuclear and military sites in Iran, killing scientists and commanders. Israel claims Tehran is close to building a nuclear weapon. Iran responded with attacks on Israel, leading to 12 days of hostilities. During this time, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
It’s unclear how much damage U.S. strikes caused to Iran’s nuclear efforts. Takht-Ravanchi said he couldn’t give an exact answer. Rafael Grossi of the IAEA said the strikes caused serious but not total damage. President Trump claimed Iran’s nuclear sites were “totally obliterated.”
Grossi also said Iran could start enriching uranium again in a few months. Takht-Ravanchi said he wasn’t sure about that. Iran’s ties with the IAEA are growing more strained. Recently, Iran’s parliament voted to halt cooperation with the agency, accusing it of siding with Israel and the US.
Trump has said he would consider bombing Iran again if intelligence shows Iran might enrich uranium to dangerous levels. Takht-Ravanchi said no date has been set for talks, and he isn’t sure what they will discuss. Trump suggested conversations could happen this week.
The deputy foreign minister asked: “Are we going to see another act of aggression while we talk?” He said the US needs to be clear on what it will offer to build trust.
When asked if Iran might change its nuclear plans for sanctions relief, Takht-Ravanchi replied, “Why should we agree to that?” He reaffirmed Iran’s claim that its nuclear work, including enrichment up to 60%, is for peaceful goals.
The 2015 deal banned Iran from enriching uranium above 3.67%, enough for power plants. It also banned enrichment at Fordo for 15 years. Trump left the deal in 2018, saying it was too weak. Since then, Iran has broken some restrictions. The IAEA said Iran resumed enrichment at Fordo in 2021 and reached about 60%.
