ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Iran has declared that diplomatic engagement with the United States over its nuclear program cannot resume unless Washington guarantees it will refrain from launching further military strikes, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister *Majid Takht-Ravanchi* told the BBC.
The demand follows recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including *Fordo, **Natanz, and **Isfahan, carried out on **June 21*, following similar attacks by Israel earlier this month.
“We have not agreed to any date, we have not agreed to the modality,” said Takht-Ravanchi. “Right now we are seeking an answer to this question. Are we going to see a repetition of an act of aggression while we are engaging in dialogue?”
U.S. Signals Willingness to Talk, But Iran Seeks Clarity
According to the Iranian diplomat, the U.S. has indicated a desire to return to negotiations. However, Tehran insists any dialogue must be based on mutual respect and security assurances.
“The U.S. needs to be quite clear on this very important question,” he added, emphasizing Iran’s concern over what it considers aggressive tactics.
While U.S. officials have stated they do not seek regime change in Iran, Takht-Ravanchi revealed that assurances were given that *Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei* was not a target of the strikes.
Dispute Over Uranium Enrichment Remains
Takht-Ravanchi defended Iran’s right to enrich uranium, saying that discussions around its levels and capacity could be part of future talks—but outright bans were unacceptable.
“To say that you should not have enrichment, you should have zero enrichment, and if you do not agree, we will bomb you, that is the law of the jungle,” he said.
Tehran continues to assert that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful, civilian purposes, despite *Israel’s claims* that Iran is nearing weapons-grade capabilities.
Strikes Leave Unclear Impact on Nuclear Sites
The extent of damage from the U.S. strikes remains uncertain. *President Donald Trump* stated the facilities were “totally obliterated,” while international assessments have yet to confirm the full impact.
*Rafael Grossi, head of the **UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA)*, suggested Iran could resume uranium enrichment within “a matter of months.”
Under the 2015 *Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran was limited to enriching uranium to **3.67% purity, suitable for civilian energy use. However, after the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018, Iran increased its enrichment to **60%*, approaching weapons-grade thresholds.
Experts note that if further refined, Iran’s current stockpile could potentially yield material for multiple nuclear weapons.
Geopolitical Tensions Continue to Escalate
The latest developments underscore growing volatility in the Middle East, especially amid heightened tensions between *Israel and Iran*, and renewed debate over the fate of the JCPOA.
While the Biden administration has expressed openness to diplomacy, Iran’s insistence on halting military actions first may further delay any progress toward renewed talks.
