Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Stalled After Israeli Strikes, Diplomacy May Resume
Hopes for reviving stalled nuclear talks between Iran and the United States remain uncertain after Israel’s surprise military strikes derailed negotiations last month. Both nations have signaled interest in returning to the table, but Tehran has rejected any preconditions, especially concerning its uranium enrichment program.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s senior adviser, Ali Velayati, warned that Iran will not accept any conditions that infringe on its nuclear rights. “If the negotiations must be conditioned on stopping enrichment, such negotiations will not take place,” he told state news agency IRNA.
The latest diplomatic setback follows Israel’s June 13 offensive targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. The U.S. joined its ally with limited strikes on June 22, hitting key facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities and a U.S. military base in Qatar.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that no new meeting has been scheduled between Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araghchi, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The two had previously held five rounds of indirect talks, mediated by Oman, before hostilities broke out.
President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s continued commitment to diplomacy, saying, “We support diplomacy and constructive engagement. The window for diplomacy remains open.”
Despite Western accusations that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, Tehran insists its program is peaceful. While Iran enriches uranium up to 60% purity—close to weapons-grade—the UN’s nuclear watchdog has found no evidence of weaponization.
Israel claimed its strikes were necessary to prevent an imminent nuclear threat, resulting in the deaths of Iranian nuclear scientists and military leaders. However, the attacks also caused damage in civilian areas. The full extent of the impact on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, Iran is maintaining dialogue with European signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—namely the UK, France, and Germany. These countries have warned of triggering the deal’s “snapback” clause, which would reimpose UN sanctions over non-compliance.
“There is no legal, moral or political basis to reimpose sanctions,” Baqaei said, insisting that Iran remains committed to the JCPOA despite the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 under former President Donald Trump.
Any new sanctions or military aggression, officials warn, will be met with a “crushing” response. Pezeshkian reiterated, “We will respond appropriately and proportionately to any hostile action.”
The situation remains tense as regional and global powers weigh their next moves, with the future of Iran’s nuclear program and broader Middle East stability hanging in the balance.
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