On Saturday, Iran made an emphatic statement that highlighted their refusal to engage in further nuclear talks until military attacks have stopped against their country. This declaration marks an abrupt shift in Tehran’s diplomatic posture, signalling hardening tensions throughout the Middle East.
At a press briefing in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani denounced recent strikes targeting Iranian military assets and infrastructure. Kanaani stated that any hostile actions from outside parties must stop before any negotiations could resume with Iran.
“The Islamic Republic will not participate in new nuclear talks while its sovereignty and people are being violated and attacked,” Kanaani stated. “Security and diplomacy cannot coexist in an environment marked by aggression.”
Israeli airstrikes on suspected Iranian missile launch facilities in Syria and Iraq were reported earlier this week, though Israel has not officially claimed responsibility. Analysts suggest the attacks are part of an ongoing campaign designed to keep Iran from strengthening its foothold in the region and limit its weapons capabilities.
Western attempts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as Iran nuclear deal, have hit an impasse. Once restricting Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, this agreement disintegrated after former President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018 by withdrawing U.S. membership – since when Iran has breached JCPOA limits by enriching uranium to higher levels and expanding centrifuge operations progressively.
U.S. and European officials have repeatedly called upon Iran to resume dialogue, citing concerns over potential nuclear weapon development. Iran maintains that their program is entirely peaceful and now accuses Western powers of contributing to regional instability through their nuclear program.
“Their silence in response to attacks on Iranian soil speaks louder than any calls for dialogue,” Kanaani noted, alluding to Iran’s perception that Western tolerance of Israeli military operations constitutes the basis of their belief system.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced alarm over deteriorating security conditions and lack of progress made on nuclear diplomacy, calling upon all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions as a priority. His spokesperson noted: “We are at a critical juncture,” saying negotiations must remain open but “cannot remain so indefinitely amid violence”.
Analysts cautioned that Iran’s suspension of talks could spark further escalation. Leila Haddad, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs from the International Crisis Institute said this situation wasn’t solely about diplomacy: there exists the very real potential for miscalculation and conflict in an already fragile region wracked with multiple crises.
With no clear path forward, the international community is keeping an eye on whether backchannel diplomacy can restart talks or whether the situation continues its slide toward confrontation.
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