WANA (Jul 31) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that any resumption of nuclear negotiations with the United States depends on Washington’s agreement to provide compensation and concrete guarantees.

 

“The U.S. must agree to compensate us before any nuclear talks begin,” Araghchi said. “They need to explain why they attacked us in the middle of negotiations and guarantee that such an action will not be repeated.” He added that these measures should include “financial reparations and written assurances that Iran will not come under attack during renewed talks.”

 

According to the minister, the recent war has not only eroded trust in Washington but has “deepened Iran’s mistrust of Donald Trump — the very man who, in his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal.”

People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Referring to indirect exchanges with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Araghchi said: “The path to negotiations is narrow but not impossible. We have exchanged messages, and I told him that resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis requires a win–win solution.” He noted that Witkoff has suggested restarting negotiations, “but Iran insists on real confidence-building measures from the U.S.”

 

Araghchi also dismissed Europe’s relevance in the process: “At present, there is no reason to negotiate with the Europeans. They can neither lift sanctions nor do anything meaningful. If they trigger the snapback mechanism, it only shows they have run out of options.”

 

The minister stressed that the Islamic Republic remains committed to its peaceful nuclear doctrine and that “the 20-year-old fatwa by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons will not change.”

WANA - Arak nuclear facility after U.S. strike

Arak nuclear facility after U.S. strike. Social media/ WANA News Agency

He continued: “The recent attack proved there is no military solution to Iran’s nuclear program, but a negotiated one can be found. We still retain our enrichment capabilities; buildings can be rebuilt, machines replaced, and our scientists and technicians are ready.”

 

However, Araghchi underlined: “As long as Trump insists on zero enrichment, no agreement is possible. We are ready for genuine negotiations, but with zero enrichment, we have nothing left to discuss.”