Iran says no plans to resume nuclear talks with US unless it’s on a ‘fair and equal footing’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran has no plans in place to meet with US officials about resuming nuclear talks, insisting preparatory work is the first priority.

“No meeting plan has been set between us and the Americans. We are ready for fair and just negotiations, but preparations are needed, both in terms of the form and subject of the discussions and the venue,” he says, indicating he had discussed the matter with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan at talks in Istanbul.

“If the negotiations are fair and on an equal footing, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to participate,” he says.

He insists that Tehran has “never sought to obtain nuclear weapons.”

Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. However, it has enriched uranium to levels that have no peaceful application, obstructed international inspectors from checking its nuclear facilities, and expanded its ballistic missile capabilities.

Israel said Iran had taken steps toward weaponization before last June’s war.