Iran warns nuclear talks must not become a waste of time
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Iran reaffirms its commitment to diplomacy but warns against delays as it stresses distrust toward the US and urges Europe to adopt constructive nuclear policies.
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People carry their shopping at the historic neighborhood of Oudlajan in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, July 31, 2025 (AP)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reaffirmed on Monday that the Islamic Republic remains open to negotiations but warned against talks that serve only as a stalling tactic. His remarks came during an interview with the Armenian news agency Armenpress, addressing recent developments in Iran’s diplomatic engagement over its nuclear program.
“We are not avoiding negotiations,” Baghaei stated, “but in any talks, it must be ensured that the process does not turn into an opportunity to waste time.”
No trust in the US, says Tehran
Baghaei emphasized that Tehran holds no trust in the United States, citing past behavior that turned diplomacy into a tool of pressure.
“The other party, meaning the United States, abused the diplomatic process and turned it into a tactical offensive tool,” he said. “Not only did they destroy trust, but they turned it into both positive and negative distrust.”
Still, Baghaei asserted that the Islamic Republic never left the negotiation table and remains committed to the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, which he said is continuously monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Talks with Europeans "transparent, sincere"
Speaking on the latest round of Iranian-European discussions held in Istanbul on July 25, Baghaei described the atmosphere as open and transparent. He said Tehran used the occasion to remind European countries of their inadequate and “unexpected” behavior in the face of American and Israeli aggression against Iran.
He stressed that the talks should aim for tangible outcomes and be grounded in the principle of “win-win results.”
Prior to the meeting with the European E3 (France, Germany, and the UK), Baghaei had framed the talks as a key opportunity to correct Europe’s course on the Iranian nuclear file. He urged the trio to abandon “unconstructive policies” that have weakened their role in the ongoing diplomatic process and relegated Europe to the sidelines.
Nuclear talks with E3 facing challenges
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed on Saturday that ongoing discussions between Tehran and the E3, Germany, France, and Britain, on the nuclear issue, are facing complex and difficult circumstances.
Despite these challenges, Mohajerani stressed that the Islamic Republic has never been an obstacle to dialogue with European countries, whether regarding the nuclear file or other diplomatic matters. She reaffirmed Tehran’s longstanding openness to engage in constructive negotiations.
The most recent round of talks took place in July in Istanbul, where Iranian representatives met with officials from the E3 to discuss the future of the Iranian nuclear program.
