Iranian Official Calls on U.S. to Acknowledge Tehran’s Commitment to Restoring Dialogue
Iran urges US to acknowledge its genuine efforts after fifth round of indirect talks, senior official tells China Media Group.
A senior Iranian political official on Wednesday urged the United States to acknowledge Tehran’s genuine commitment to diplomatic engagement, following the conclusion of a fifth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between the two nations. The comments come at a pivotal moment as diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the long-standing nuclear dispute continue to face obstacles.
In remarks given during an exclusive interview, the official, who requested anonymity, highlighted that Iran has consistently adopted a flexible and constructive approach in discussions. He called on Washington to recognize these efforts rather than, in his words, "supporting Israel’s ambitions to destroy Iran’s peaceful nuclear industry." The official stated, “If the United States is truly concerned about the peaceful character of Iran’s nuclear program, it should welcome our willingness to resolve disagreements through dialogue."
The official emphasized that Iran’s engagement with the U.S. is focused solely on assuring the international community of its nuclear program’s peaceful intent and securing the effective lifting of economic sanctions. However, he expressed frustration over what he described as Washington’s "contradictory position." According to the official, while the U.S. continues to demand a complete halt to Iran’s nuclear activities, it has so far failed to bring forward any reliable proposals for sanctions relief.
He argued that this inconsistency "fundamentally undermines the basis for meaningful negotiations," leaving little room for progress. “The continuing contradiction in the American approach has rendered the very foundation of dialogue and negotiations meaningless,” he stated.
A key sticking point, according to the senior official, remains Washington’s insistence that Iran discontinue all uranium enrichment activities. He asserted that such demands are designed to create an impasse in the talks, noting that U.S. negotiators are well aware Iran would never accept such preconditions. He described uranium enrichment as not only an industrial or technical matter but also a crucial symbol of Iran’s national sovereignty and independence.
"Defending our right to enrichment is, in fact, defending our national sovereignty and territorial integrity against foreign threats and aggression," he said, underscoring the deep significance of the issue for Tehran.
The official also pointed out a growing skepticism among observers, many of whom now believe that the U.S. push for renewed talks may be part of a broader psychological campaign rather than a sincere effort to bring about a breakthrough.
Regarding sanctions, the official expressed doubt about Washington's ability to lift the complex web of penalties imposed on Iran. He criticized U.S. negotiators for causing delays in the process by failing to submit a clear and actionable proposal on sanctions relief.
The indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., held most recently in Rome, remain at a delicate juncture. As both sides search for common ground, the outcome of these talks could have significant ramifications for regional stability and international relations in the months ahead.
