Iran says resuming nuclear talks with US depends on what serves national interest

ISTANBUL

Iran’s decision on whether it will resume talks on its nuclear program with the US depends on what serves the national interest, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday in an interview with Iranian state television.

Araghchi said that Iran had received messages from the US regarding the resumption of negotiations.

He stressed that whether or not talks will resume depends entirely on what the national interest requires.

His remarks came ahead of a planned visit by a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Tehran.

He underscored the need to start a new phase in Iran's relations with the agency in light of current developments.

Araghchi pointed out that the IAEA delegation's visit does not include inspections of nuclear facilities.

He also noted that the Supreme National Security Council of Iran is the body authorized to make decisions regarding the future of nuclear negotiations, while the Foreign Ministry is responsible for implementing those decisions.

On July 2, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA due to its "bias" regarding Iran's nuclear file.

A week earlier, the Iranian parliament passed legislation to suspend cooperation with the agency amid escalating tensions over the handling of Tehran’s nuclear program and following an Israeli-American attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

On June 13, Israel, with US support, launched a 12-day offensive against Iran targeting military and nuclear sites, civilian infrastructure and involving the assassination of military leaders and nuclear scientists.

Iran responded by targeting Israeli military and intelligence facilities with ballistic missiles and drones.

On June 22, the US attacked Iranian facilities and claimed to have “ended” its nuclear program.

In response, Iran bombed the US's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Then on June 24, Washington announced a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Tehran.

Israel and its ally the US accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains that its program is intended for peaceful purposes, including electricity generation.

Before the Israeli aggression on Iran, Tehran and Washington had engaged in several rounds of indirect negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program.