Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Nov 16: Iranian authorities on Sunday said the United States and its allies continue to pursue a forceful approach towards the country’s nuclear programme, leaving negotiations unlikely for now.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the Tehran Dialogue Forum in the capital, said Washington has shown “no readiness” for fair or equal talks. He accused the US administration of maintaining the “maximalist demands” first pushed under President Donald Trump.

Araghchi said Iran continues to receive messages from neighbouring countries attempting to mediate and reduce tensions. A letter from him addressing Iran’s position, the Gaza ceasefire and other regional issues was handed over to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Sunday, according to Iranian reports.

He added that communication channels with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remain open. Iran’s envoy in Vienna met representatives of the UN nuclear watchdog on Friday, along with officials from China and Russia.

Araghchi said Iran’s enrichment activities have halted because its nuclear facilities were attacked earlier this year.

He reiterated that Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy is non-negotiable.

His comments follow the leak of a confidential IAEA report to Western media last week, stating the agency has been unable to verify Iran’s stockpile of 60 percent-enriched uranium since the June attacks that severely damaged its facilities.