New Delhi: The mud nonetheless has not settled in Tehran. Not on the rubble. Not on the talks. Not on belief. Iranian Deputy International Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi doesn’t mince his phrases. He says the message from america got here quietly by means of intermediaries. Washington needs to reopen talks. However Tehran has a situation.
“First,” he mentioned, “we’d like a assure. No extra assaults.”
Simply weeks in the past, dialogue was nonetheless on the desk. The main target was slender – Iran’s nuclear programme. Then got here the airstrikes. Israel hit first. They struck deep – nuclear amenities, army bases and high-ranking scientists. Iran hit again. Then america entered the struggle. On June 21, it bombed three of Iran’s nuclear websites – Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
The harm? That relies on who’s talking. President Donald Trump says Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is gone; it’s flattened. The Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company (IAEA), UN’s atomic watchdog, disagrees. Although its chief Rafael Grossi admits there may be severe harm, but he says it’s “not obliterated”.
Iran’s enrichment techniques could get well in months. Or under no circumstances.
Takht-Ravanchi says it’s laborious to know. The bombings disrupted every thing. He is not going to speculate on how lengthy it will take to renew full operations. However one factor he’s clear on – Iran by no means sought a bomb.
“It’s for peaceable analysis and at all times has been,” he insisted.
The fabric? Onerous to come back by. Iran constructed its programme with restricted assets. They relied on themselves.
And when requested whether or not Iran would abandon enrichment in change for sanctions reduction or overseas funding, he scoffed, “Why ought to we?”
The enrichment stage stands at 60%. The 2015 nuclear deal capped it at 3.67%. That deal, brokered by world powers, unraveled when Trump walked out in 2018. His administration referred to as it weak, reimposed sanctions and triggered Iran’s gradual however regular departure from its commitments.
By 2021, Iran was enriching uranium at ranges that, whereas under weapons-grade, alarmed Western leaders. The IAEA mentioned 90% purity was inside attain, sufficient for a number of bombs.
Belief broke down. Takht-Ravanchi says that isn’t Iran’s fault. He blames Washington. He blames Israel. And he’s dropping endurance with Europe.
“They at all times criticise us. However not a phrase about how we’ve got been handled,” he mentioned.
If Europe can not query American actions, he suggests, they need to keep quiet.
Then got here one other message. America, by means of mediators, assured Tehran it doesn’t search regime change. It doesn’t wish to goal Iran’s Supreme Chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Takht-Ravanchi acknowledges the sign. However he’s skeptical.
In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to as on Iranians to stand up towards their leaders. Trump, after endorsing a ceasefire final week, distanced himself from that view.
Takht-Ravanchi responded firmly, “That won’t occur. Iranians could disagree amongst themselves. However when the menace is overseas, they stand collectively.”
The ceasefire is fragile. Iran says it’s going to maintain so long as it’s not attacked once more. Israel’s intentions? Unclear.
Regional allies are working behind the scenes. Qatar, particularly, performed a key position in mediating the present pause. Takht-Ravanchi acknowledged their efforts.
“We don’t need conflict. We’re open to diplomacy. However we is not going to be caught off guard once more,” he mentioned.
For now, Iran waits for readability, assurance and a solution to a query nobody in Washington has addressed head-on.
“Will there be extra bombs through the talks?”
That, Takht-Ravanchi says, modifications every thing.