TEHRAN – A senior Iranian diplomat has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s readiness for negotiations and stressed its firm opposition to coercion and the imposition of conditions.
Kamal Khalazi, chairman of Iran’s Foreign and Strategic Council and member of the Expediency Council, made the remarks in an interview published on the official website of Islamic revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Wednesday. He stressed that any negotiations involving Iran must be guided by the three core principles outlined by the leaders: dignity, wisdom and expediency.
“Negotiations must respect Iran’s national dignity and be based on logical grounds. We are open to dialogue, but we will never respond to imposition,” Khalaj said. Referring to recent statements by Ayatollah Khamenei, he pointed out that agreeing to talks under duress is not honorable for any country, nor is it wise for politicians. The diplomat said US demands in the nuclear negotiations were “dictation, not negotiation” and stressed that attempts to stop Iran from enriching its nuclear weapons were unacceptable.
Karaj elaborated on three principles: Dignity requires protecting national honor and avoiding humiliation, wisdom requires rational and logical dialogue, and expediency requires a realistic understanding of the situation and reasonable flexibility to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. He cited indirect talks between Iran and the United States before the outbreak of the 12-day Israeli-American war in June as an indication of Iran’s willingness to engage while neutralizing accusations of avoiding negotiations.
Although he is skeptical about the other side’s intentions, Khalaj said the indirect consultation framework was approved to demonstrate Iran’s rationality and goodwill. He stressed that through the five rounds of negotiations, Iran’s dignity was fully maintained, the nation’s rights to wealth were reaffirmed, and flexibility was exercised without compromising its core interests.
The diplomat also referred to the outbreak of the 12-day war, which he described as proof that Western parties were not committed to genuine dialogue.
Khalaj noted that two decades of nuclear diplomacy demonstrate Iran’s longstanding commitment to dialogue, which the country views as a symbol of rationality and strength rather than weakness.
Karaji focused on Western countries’ nuclear condemnation, arguing that it stems from a lack of understanding of Iran’s religious culture, including Khamenei’s fatwas banning nuclear weapons. He stressed that the nuclear issue has long been used as a pretext for political pressure, and noted that Iran has voluntarily implemented the IAEA Additional Protocol, which allows inspections to ensure that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.
Mr. Karaj emphasized the strategic importance of uranium enrichment, explaining that Iran needs to ensure energy independence and reduce dependence on foreign fuel supplies. He said the country aims to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power and enrichment forms the basis of energy independence.
Finally, he reflected on the 12-day war, noting that Iran’s decisive and swift defensive response forced the Israeli regime to call for a ceasefire. Mr. Khalaj praised the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, who kept the people calm and orchestrated the appointment of his successor after the martyrdom of a senior commander, and said that Iran’s domestic strength and preparedness are the key to safeguarding its sovereignty.