Tehran Ready for Fair Nuclear Talks

TEHRAN (Iran News) He clarified that, contrary to some reports, Iran has not submitted any formal written response to U.S. demands. Instead, discussions remain ongoing and are focused on exchanging views. According to Larijani, regional countries support reaching a political solution to the nuclear issue and encourage dialogue over confrontation.

“Iran evaluates negotiations positively, but only if they are fair, reasonable, and do not endanger our national security,” Larijani said. He stressed that any negotiation must remain within the nuclear framework and not be used to pressure Tehran on unrelated issues.

Larijani reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. He argued that calls for “zero enrichment” are unrealistic, pointing out that Iran’s nuclear knowledge cannot be erased politically and that the country has legitimate medical and research needs.

He cited the Tehran research reactor as a case in point, which requires 20 percent enriched uranium to produce radiopharmaceuticals for cancer patients. “The Agency can inspect this reactor,” Larijani said. “There is nothing secret here. These processes should not be politicized or presented as mysterious; they are transparent and verifiable by international oversight.”

He added that enrichment is essential for legitimate purposes, highlighting that eliminating uranium enrichment entirely would make no technical sense.

Addressing regional security, Larijani stated that Iran’s missile program was not discussed in recent negotiations but remains an essential element of the country’s national defense. “Defensive deterrence is non-negotiable,” he said.

He also warned that Israel’s actions in the region aim to provoke conflict and claimed that targeted assassinations of Iranian commanders and scientists had failed to weaken Tehran’s military capabilities. “Israel assassinated some of our leaders, but our missile systems remain fully operational. Attacks, no matter how intense, cannot eliminate ideology or dismantle our strategic structures,” Larijani asserted.

Larijani stressed the strength and resilience of Iran’s regional allies. He stated that Lebanon’s Hezbollah has restored its capabilities and possesses significant capacity to counter Israel. On Gaza, he highlighted that despite Israel’s extensive bombardment, Hamas continues to govern the territory effectively. He noted that prolonged attacks have failed to dismantle the organization, emphasizing that the resilience and operational capacity of these groups remain intact.

Regarding broader conflict, Larijani downplayed the likelihood of a major regional war. He said past experiences indicate that escalations rarely benefit aggressors and argued that Iran is fully prepared for any scenario without seeking to ignite conflict. “Iran is not pursuing war, but we will not succumb to threats,” he said. “Our strategy combines negotiation with credible deterrence. Recent confrontations only strengthened the axis of resistance, allowing us to reorganize and consolidate rather than weaken.”

Larijani praised the mediation efforts of Qatar and emphasized that consultations with Doha reflect a shared commitment to preventing escalation. He highlighted the importance of expanding trade ties and regional cooperation with Qatar and Oman, including in economic matters, regional diplomacy, and broader international issues.

On the international stage, Larijani reaffirmed Iran’s cooperation with China and Russia, describing it as mutually beneficial. He noted that support from these countries in the United Nations Security Council reflects a political partnership and added that Tehran’s pivot toward the East resulted from what he described as breaches of commitment by Western powers following the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Larijani stressed that future talks with the United States should focus exclusively on the nuclear file. He rejected including Iran’s missile program or other security matters in negotiations, describing such issues as integral to national security and non-negotiable. “If the U.S. wants assurance that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, we fully agree. This establishes a reasonable and shared basis for discussion,” he said.

He reiterated Iran’s commitment to transparency and compliance with IAEA inspections, highlighting that nuclear activities are conducted under full international oversight. “The production of nuclear technology cannot be hidden; it is subject to inspection, and we accept this monitoring,” Larijani said.

Larijani concluded by reiterating that Iran is prepared for all potential scenarios. He emphasized that the country seeks stability and negotiation rather than conflict but will continue to maintain credible deterrence to safeguard its security. “The axis of resistance has proven its resilience against shocks, assassinations, and attacks. Recent confrontations did not weaken our position; they strengthened our organization and preparedness,” he said.

Overall, Larijani presented Tehran as committed to constructive nuclear dialogue, emphasizing fairness, reasonableness, and security, while underscoring Iran’s resilience, regional partnerships, and readiness to respond to any contingency without pursuing unnecessary conflict.