Iran Rejects US Nuclear Diplomacy Claims Amid Ongoing Tensions and Sanctions Threat

Dubai:

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Thursday dismissed the US claims about wanting a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear programme as a "deception".

US President Donald Trump's Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff stated on Wednesday that Washington was engaged in talks with Iran and expressed a "desire" to achieve a permanent solution to the ongoing dispute.

The United States, alongside its European allies and Israel, accuses Tehran of utilizing its nuclear programme as a cover for developing weapons capabilities. Iran consistently maintains that its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes only.

"America's claim of a desire for diplomacy is nothing but deception and blatant contradiction; one cannot simultaneously bomb a country while engaging in diplomatic negotiations and speak of diplomacy," stated ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.

Before the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June, during which Washington participated by targeting key nuclear facilities, Tehran and Washington had conducted five rounds of nuclear negotiations. However, these talks encountered significant obstacles, particularly regarding uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, which Western powers aim to reduce to zero to minimize weaponization risks.

Britain, France, and Germany initiated a 30-day process on August 28 to reimpose UN sanctions - known as snapback - concluding on September 27. This action stems from accusations that Tehran failed to comply with the 2015 agreement with world powers designed to prevent nuclear weapon development.

The European nations have offered to postpone reinstating sanctions for up to six months to allow space for negotiations on a long-term agreement, provided Iran restores access for UN nuclear inspectors, addresses concerns regarding its enriched uranium stockpile, and engages in discussions with the United States.

An Iranian insider revealed to Reuters that "several messages have been conveyed to Washington for resumption of talks via mediators in the past weeks, but Americans have not responded".

At a summit on Wednesday, Witkoff confirmed: "We're talking to them."

He further elaborated: "I think we have a desire, however, to either realise a permanent solution and negotiate around snapbacks, and if we can't, then snapbacks will be what they are. They're the right medicine for what's happening."

During his meeting with anti-war activists in New York on Wednesday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian questioned: "In which language do we have to say that we are ready to respect frameworks if you do too? What type of negotiations is it if they ask us to respect our commitments while they trample on their own?"

In a previous meeting, he acknowledged that the return of international sanctions would be "unpleasant, but not the end of the road".

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Tuesday that negotiations with Washington would not serve Tehran's interests.