Iran demands US pay compensation for war damage before nuke talks

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he has exchanged messages with US envoy Steve Witkoff on restarting nuclear talks, telling the Americans that Tehran expects to be compensated for damage incurred in bombing attacks against its nuclear facilities ahead of negotiations, as it seeks “real confidence-building measures.”

“They should explain why they attacked us in the middle of… negotiations, and they have to ensure that they are not going to repeat that [during future talks],” he is quoted telling the Financial Times from Tehran. “And they have to compensate [Iran for] the damage that they have done.”

Nonetheless, Araghchi sounds an upbeat note on the prospect of talks aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

“The road to negotiation is narrow but it’s not impossible. I need to convince my hierarchy that if we go for negotiation, the other side is coming with real determination for a win-win deal,” he is quoted saying.

However, he holds firm to Iran’s demand that it maintain nuclear enrichment capacity, a major sticking point in talks that collapsed when the US joined Israel’s military campaign against Iran last month.

“With zero enrichment, we don’t have a thing,” he says, noting that many in Tehran oppose even talking to the US over the issue. ““People are telling me, ‘Don’t waste your time anymore, don’t be cheated by them . . . if they come to negotiations it’s only a cover-up for their other intentions.’”

In the interview, Araghchi acknowledges that among the sites attacked during the 12-day conflict was a new enrichment plant near Isfahan, marking the first time an official in Iran has admitted the facility was hit. However, he denies enrichment was taking place at the site at the time.