Iran downplays possibility of quick resumption of nuclear talks

2025-07-01 08:24:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi ruled out the possibility of a quick resumption of talks with the United States after US President Donald Trump said he was not currently talking to Iran, reversing his previous stance that talks with Iran would resume this week.

During an interview published on June 30, Araqchi was asked about Trump's statement last week that nuclear negotiations with Iran would resume soon.

"I don't think negotiations will resume so soon," the Iranian foreign minister said during an interview with the American broadcaster, CBS.

"For us to decide to return to talks, we must first ensure that America will not launch a military attack on us during the negotiations."

More time is needed to consider all points, he said, adding that "the doors of diplomacy will never be completely closed."

The United States and Iran had held five rounds of indirect talks over Tehran's nuclear program before they collapsed and Israel began airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure on June 13.

The US joined Israel's attacks on June 22 when it bombed three key Iranian nuclear facilities, including the underground facility at Fordow.

Araqchi was also asked about an assessment made by the head of the United Nations nuclear agency, Rafael Grossi, according to which Iran could likely start producing enriched uranium within a few months.

"You can't destroy the technology and science of enrichment through bombing," he said.

If there is a will on Iran's part, the country "will be able to repair the damage quickly and make up for lost time," he added.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on June 30, Trump wrote that he is "not offering Iran anything... nor am I talking to them, since we have completely destroyed their nuclear facilities."

The extent of the damage inflicted on Iran's nuclear program during the 12-day war with Israel remains unclear. Iran says its nuclear facilities suffered extensive damage but has vowed to continue its nuclear program, which it insists is peaceful.

Under a 2015 deal reached with the United States and other world powers, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium to a level lower than 3.67 percent purity, for the purposes of generating power in nuclear power plants.

Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, and Iran responded by producing uranium enriched to 60 percent - a level higher than that for civilian use, but lower than the level required for nuclear weapons.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it was highly likely that the centrifuges used to enrich uranium at Fordow had been severely damaged. But he added that Iran could resume uranium enrichment “within months.”

He also said there are some indications that Iran may have moved some of its enriched uranium before the US airstrikes.

Grossi said Iran had informed him on June 13 that it was taking measures to protect nuclear equipment and material. According to him, this suggests that Iran may have moved uranium./ Rel