Tehran [Iran], July 2: Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi has ruled out a quick resumption of talks with the United States after President Donald Trump said US negotiations with Tehran could restart as early as this week.
Araghchi's comments on CBS Evening News on Monday came as the foreign ministers of the G7 issued a statement calling for dialogue on a deal to curb Iran's nuclear programme. Iran and the US were holding talks on Tehran's nuclear programme when Israel launched attacks on Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. The US later joined in Israel's attacks, by bombing the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan sites on June 21. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful, but the US and Israel say they want to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon.
Araghchi said negotiations would not start as quickly as Trump had indicated, and that Iran first needs assurances against further attacks. "In order for us to decide to reengage, we would have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations," the minister said. "I think with all these considerations, we still need more time," he said, although "the doors of diplomacy will never slam shut". (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
