US should rule out extra strikes earlier than new talks, Iranian minister tells BBC

[ad_1] The US should rule out any additional strikes on Iran if it needs to renew diplomatic talks, Tehran's deputy international minister has advised the BBC.

Majid Takht-Ravanchi says the Trump administration has advised Iran via mediators it needs to return to negotiations, however had "not made their place clear" on the "crucial query" of additional assaults whereas talks are happening.

Israel's army operation, which started within the early hours of 13 June, scuppered a sixth spherical of primarily oblique talks set to happen in Muscat two days later.

The US turned instantly concerned within the battle between Israel and Iran final weekend when it focused three Iranian nuclear websites in a bombing raid.

Takht-Ravanchi additionally mentioned Iran will "insist" on with the ability to enrich uranium for what it says are peaceable functions, rejecting accusations that Iran was secretly shifting in the direction of growing a nuclear bomb.

He mentioned Iran had been "denied entry to nuclear materials" for its analysis programme so wanted "to depend on ourselves".

"The extent of that may be mentioned, the capability might be mentioned, however to say that you shouldn't have enrichment, it is best to have zero enrichment, and if do you not agree, we'll bomb you - that's the legislation of the jungle," the deputy international minister mentioned.

Israel started its assaults, concentrating on nuclear and army websites in addition to assassinating commanders and scientists, in Iran on 13 June, claiming Tehran was near constructing a nuclear weapon.

Iran responded by attacking Israel with missiles. Hostilities continued for 12 days, throughout which the US dropped bombs on three of Iran's nuclear websites: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.

The extent of the harm prompted to Iran's nuclear programme by US strikes has been unclear, and Takht-Ravanchi mentioned he couldn't give a precise evaluation.

Rafael Grossi, head of the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company (IAEA), mentioned the strikes prompted extreme however "not whole" harm, whereas US President Donald Trump declared that Iran's nuclear amenities had been "completely obliterated".

Grossi additionally mentioned Iran had the capability to start out enriching uranium once more in "a matter of months". In response, Takht-Ravanchi mentioned he didn't know if that may be the case.

Iran's relationship with the IAEA has develop into more and more strained. On Wednesday, its parliament moved to droop cooperation with the atomic watchdog, accusing the IAEA of siding with Israel and the US.

Trump has mentioned he would "completely" think about bombing Iran once more if intelligence discovered that it may enrich uranium to regarding ranges.

Takht-Ravanchi mentioned no date had been agreed upon for a potential return to talks and he didn't know what could be on the agenda, after Trump prompt discussions may happen this week.

Iran's deputy international minister mentioned "proper now we're in search of a solution to this query: are we going to see a repetition of an act of aggression whereas we're partaking in dialogue?"

He mentioned the US needed to be "fairly clear on this crucial query" and "what they're going to supply us with a view to make the required confidence required for such a dialogue".

Requested if Iran may think about rethinking its nuclear programme as a part of any deal, probably in return for sanctions aid and funding within the nation, Takht-Ravanchi mentioned: "Why ought to we comply with such a proposal?"

He reiterated that Iran's programme, together with enriching uranium to 60%, was "for peaceable functions".

Underneath a 2015 nuclear cope with world powers, Iran was not permitted to counterpoint uranium above 3.67% purity - the extent required for gas for business nuclear energy vegetation - and was not allowed to hold out any enrichment at its Fordo plant for 15 years.

Nevertheless, Trump deserted the settlement in 2018 throughout his first time period as president, saying it did too little to cease a pathway to a bomb, and reinstated US sanctions.

Iran retaliated by more and more breaching the restrictions - significantly these referring to enrichment. It resumed enrichment at Fordo in 2021 and had amassed sufficient 60%-enriched uranium to probably make 9 nuclear bombs, in response to the IAEA.

Pressed on European and Western leaders having an absence of belief in the direction of Iran, Takht-Ravanchi accused some European leaders of a "ridiculous" endorsement of US and Israeli strikes.

He mentioned those that are criticising Iran over its nuclear programme "ought to criticise the way in which that we've got been handled" and criticise the US and Israel.

He added: "And if they don't have the center to criticise America, they need to maintain silent, not attempt to justify the aggression."

Takht-Ravanchi additionally mentioned Iran had obtained messages via mediators that the US did "not wish to have interaction in regime change in Iran" by concentrating on the nation's Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to as on Iranians to "rise for his or her freedom" to carry down the clerical rule of Khamenei, however, after final week's ceasefire was reached, Trump mentioned he didn't need the identical.

Takht-Ravanchi insisted it will not occur and the concept was "tantamount to a futile train".

He mentioned that though some Iranians "might need criticism of some actions by the federal government, in the case of international aggression they might be united to confront it".

The deputy international minister mentioned it was "not fairly clear" if the ceasefire with Israel would final, however Iran would proceed to watch it "so long as there isn't a army assault in opposition to us".

He mentioned Iran's Arab allies within the Persian Gulf had been "doing their greatest to attempt to put together the required environment for a dialogue". Qatar is understood to have performed a key position in brokering the present ceasefire.

He added: "We don't need warfare. We wish to have interaction in dialogue and diplomacy, however we've got to be ready, we've got to be cautious, to not be shocked once more."

Lyse Doucet is being allowed to report from Iran on the situation that none of her studies are utilized by the BBC's Persian service. This legislation from Iranian authorities applies to all worldwide media companies working in Iran.