During the fifth round of indirect negotiations this week, a senior Iranian official called on the United States to recognize Tehran’s genuine commitment to resolving their nuclear dispute through dialogue.
Speaking exclusively to China Media Group under the condition of anonymity, the official emphasized that Iran’s flexible and constructive approach should be welcomed by Washington if it truly values the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Instead, the U.S. has backed Israel’s aim to cripple Iran’s nuclear industry, he said.
The official stressed that Iran’s goal in engaging with the U.S. has always been to secure assurances about the peaceful intent of its program and to achieve an effective lifting of sanctions that have weighed heavily on the Iranian economy.
However, the U.S. demand for a full shutdown of Iran’s nuclear activities—without offering any practical or reliable sanctions relief—has, according to the official, undermined the basis for meaningful negotiations.
“By insisting on halting uranium enrichment, Washington is pushing talks into a deadlock,” the official argued. He added that enrichment is more than a technical process—it symbolizes Iran’s national independence and sovereignty.
“Defending our right to enrichment is defending our sovereignty and territorial integrity against any foreign threat,” he said, highlighting the deep national pride tied to the program.
Observers who initially viewed the U.S. push for talks as a psychological campaign are now, the official noted, seeing their skepticism validated.
On sanctions, he warned that Washington seems to lack the legal means to lift the multilayered restrictions against Iran. Repeated delays and the absence of a concrete draft proposal have stalled progress and deepened frustration on both sides.
As indirect negotiations continue, the official’s call puts the spotlight on Washington: will U.S. policymakers shift their stance to break the current impasse, or will talks remain stuck in a deadlock?
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Iranian official urges U.S. to recognize Tehran's commitment to talks
cgtn.com
