Photo: Depositphotos
Iran has officially voiced its position on the parameters of a possible nuclear deal with the United States. The representative of Iran’s supreme leader, Senior Advisor Ali Shamkhani, shared the basic principles on which Tehran insists after the start of a new round of negotiations. This was reported by Israeli journalist Alexei Zheleznov on his Telegram channel.
According to Shamkhani’s statement, the Iranian side categorically rejects the so-called “Libyan-United Arab Emirates model” of the nuclear programme. Thus, the “Libyan model” provides for the complete destruction of nuclear infrastructure, while the “Emirati model” allows for the development of civilian nuclear energy under strict international control, but without any uranium enrichment facilities in the country.
According to Shamkhani, Iran views such models as unacceptable and humiliating. Instead, Tehran insists on preserving the right to limited uranium enrichment for energy needs and the development of nuclear science, taking into account its own scientific and technological achievements.
In addition, among the key demands of Iran:
- Complete lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the United States;
- Guarantees for foreign investors and a favourable investment regime;
- Elimination of “aggressive elements”, among which Israel is unofficially named;
- The United States will give up direct or indirect threats against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Although the adviser did not name specific countries, the references to “threats” and “eliminating aggressive factors” are in fact a diplomatic signal that Iran is demanding guarantees from the United States that Israel will not attack Iranian targets – even though Tel Aviv is not a party to the talks.
As a reminder, the second round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran on the resumption of the nuclear deal began in Rome on Saturday. Washington, according to President Donald Trump, still hopes for a diplomatic solution, but does not rule out other scenarios in case the agreement fails.
Tehran, meanwhile, emphasises that any new agreement must be based on respect for Iran’s sovereignty and its right to develop its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes.
