US, Iran spar over nuclear talks at UN Security Council meeting

The United States and Iran trade barbs at the United Nations Security Council over conditions for reviving nuclear talks, with the US saying it remains ready for direct negotiations and Iran rejecting Washington’s terms.

The two countries held five rounds of nuclear talks prior to a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, which Washington joined by striking Iranian nuclear sites.

“The United States remains available for formal talks with Iran, but only if Tehran is prepared for direct and meaningful dialogue,” Trump’s deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus tells the Security Council on Tuesday.

“We have been clear, however, about certain expectations for any arrangement. Foremost, there can be no enrichment inside of Iran, and that remains our principle,” Ortagus says.

Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani tells the meeting that the US was not pursuing fair negotiation by insisting on a zero enrichment policy.

“We appreciate any fair and meaningful negotiation, but insisting on zero enrichment policy, it is contrary to our rights as a member of the NPT, and it means that they are not pursuing the fair negotiation,” he says, referring to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

“They want to dictate their predetermined intention on Iran. Iran will not bow down to any pressure and intimidation,” he adds.