According to webangah news agency, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, stated in an interview with American network NBC that while Iran engaged in Oman-mediated indirect negotiations with the U.S. over recent months “with goodwill,” the americans “certainly entered talks with ill intentions.”
When asked whether diplomatic channels remain open for potential cooperation with the IAEA, Takht-Ravanchi responded: “We haven’t closed doors on IAEA cooperation, but this depends on certain conditions – particularly what concrete steps are needed to establish smooth, regular collaboration. Our ambassador in Vienna has communicated our position clearly to the Director General.”
The senior diplomat reacted strongly when questioned about moving past current tensions: ”We cannot simply overlook this blatant aggression. Our people suffered greatly from Israeli adn American attacks – how can we forget? Civilians were killed and wounded. This isn’t trivial for us. Our nation remembers Israel’s June 13 attack against us and America’s subsequent support, followed by direct U.S. strikes days later.”
“The basic question,” Takht-Ravanchi continued, “is whether we can trust America? this aggression occurred just two days before planned sixth-round negotiations – dealing the heaviest blow to diplomacy and destroying essential trust for meaningful talks. How do they explain misleading us through backchannel communications? Days before attacking, Steve Wittkof had promised an Oman meeting.”
The deputy minister emphasized: “Americans negotiated deceitfully despite our five rounds of good-faith talks via Oman. While progress was slow but mutually acknowledged as positive directionally, we suddenly faced military aggression without description.”
Regarding future scenarios involving potential Israeli or American attacks,Takht-Ravanchi stated: “We’re prepared for all contingencies to protect our nation while preferring diplomacy – but demand convincing U.S. assurances against further military actions during negotiations.”
on nuclear facility damages from U.S strikes he called impacts “very serious” pending Atomic Energy Organization assessments.
The diplomat declined comment on IAEA chief Rafael Grossi’s claims about uranium transfers pre-attack beyond stating lack of knowledge.
When pressed about retaliatory strikes against U.S targets following 12-day hostilities he affirmed: “We’ve already responded appropriately.”
