Foreign Minister Kamal Khalaj said the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States if they are held respectfully, stressing that Iran will not move from the position it held before the United States and the Zionist regime attacked Iran in June.
“They (the United States) have to take the first steps to show that they are ready to engage with us on the terms we offer… It has to be based on equal footing and mutual respect,” Kamal Karaj told CNN in an interview from Tehran.
“The agenda will be prepared in advance to clarify the content and discussion process,” he stressed.
“Unfortunately, (US) President (Donald) Trump does not believe in diplomatic engagement and would rather use force to achieve his goals,” Karaji added.
He also indicated that Iran’s terms for talks with the United States have not changed since the US and Israeli regimes attacked its nuclear facilities in June, adding that enrichment of uranium will continue as the country needs fuel for power plants and medical purposes.
Iran’s ballistic missile program, which he said is expanding, will also be off the negotiating table. “The only thing we will discuss with the US is the nuclear issue,” Karaj said.
Almost five months later, the damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities has yet to be assessed, Karaj added.
He added that the “degree of enrichment” rather than enrichment itself would be the focus of potential negotiations with the US.
Asked if he was concerned about another military conflict with the United States or the Zionist regime, Karadzi said: “Everything is possible. But we are ready for it.”
Asked by CNN if there was room for an agreement with the United States regarding Iran’s nuclear program, including the possibility of a consortium, Mr. Karaj said, “I think so.”
He added: “If there were to be genuine negotiations between Iran and the United States, there would be ways and means to allow Iran to continue its enrichment while at the same time assuring the other country that it would not seek nuclear weapons.”
MNA