Iran Clear: Limits on Nuclear Program in Exchange for Lifting Sanctions

"Iran can be flexible on the issue of capacity and limits on enrichment, but it cannot agree to a complete suspension of the uranium enrichment process under any circumstances, because it is crucial for us. It’s simple: if the U.S. insists on zero enrichment, then there is no agreement," Ravanchi said in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News agency.

According to him, efforts to revive talks were halted in mid-June when Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran, killing a prominent nuclear scientist and several high-ranking military commanders.

He also recalled that on June 22, U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers attacked three major Iranian nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an action Tehran condemned as a violation of international law and a blow to diplomacy.

"For negotiations to continue, Washington must guarantee that it will not attack Iran again," Ravanchi emphasized.

Iran has increased its uranium enrichment level to 60 percent, below the threshold required to build an atomic bomb but well above the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 nuclear agreement.

"The U.S. must clarify whether it is truly interested in a mutually beneficial dialogue or in imposing its will," the Iranian diplomat said, adding that while compensation for the attacks is not a precondition for future talks, the matter will be raised during negotiations.

Despite the escalation, Ravanchi noted that diplomatic channels have been opened through intermediaries and stressed that Iran’s nuclear program "will remain peaceful" and in cooperation with the IAEA.