Iran sets key condition for US negotiations on its nuclear program: no apology for attacks, no dialogue.
Iran on Monday conditioned future negotiations with the United States on its responsibility for the June attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, while ruling out direct talks with Washington.
Isfahan nuclear plant, Iran, after the US bombing. Photo: AFP
The United States attacked several Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, as part of the war initiated by Israel, which ended the initial contacts regarding Iran's nuclear program.
"In any possible negotiations... the issue of holding the United States accountable and demanding compensation for committing military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities will be one of the points on the agenda ," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai told a press conference on Monday.
Iranian missiles seen from Jerusalem on June 14. Photo: Menahem Kahana. AFP.
Asked whether Iran would participate in direct talks with the United States, he replied: "No."
In June, Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities and also pounded residential areas during a 12-day war, which was joined by US forces with attacks on nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.
The fighting disrupted talks between Tehran and Washington that began in April, the highest-level talks since the United States withdrew from a landmark deal on Iran's nuclear activities in 2018.
Iran creates a Defense Council after its war with Israel Iran announced on Sunday the creation of a Defense Council to strengthen its military capabilities following its recent war with Israel, state media reported.
"The Supreme National Security Council approved the creation of the National Defense Council," public television reported.
The Fordo fuel enrichment plant in central Iran. Photo: AFP
The new organization would be led by the president of the Islamic Republic and would be composed of commanders of the armed forces and heads of relevant ministries, according to the network.
The Defense Council "examines defense plans" and "centrally strengthens the capabilities of the armed forces," the channel explained.
More than 1,000 people died in Iran during the conflict, according to Tehran authorities. Israel, meanwhile, recorded 28 deaths.
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