Iran Calls for U.S. to Halt Strikes Before Renewed Diplomatic Talks

Thu Oct 23 2025 00:17:40 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Iranian officials stress the necessity of avoiding further military action by the U.S. to enable a return to negotiations concerning nuclear developments and regional stability.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has asserted that the U.S. must commit to halting strikes against Iran if diplomatic talks are to resume. He expressed concerns over recent military actions, particularly from Israel, which have complicated negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. Takht-Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and rejected the notion of reconsidering its nuclear program under pressure.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has conveyed a critical message to the U.S., emphasizing that any further military actions could jeopardize the prospects for renewed diplomatic negotiations. Speaking with the BBC, he outlined that for talks to take place, there must be a clear commitment from the U.S. against additional strikes on Iran. This position follows a series of aggressive actions, including recent U.S. bombings of Iranian nuclear sites.

Complications arose as a military operation by Israel, aimed at Iranian military capabilities, disrupted the sixth round of indirect negotiations that were scheduled to occur. The situation escalated over recent weeks, with tensions flaring following U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—prompting Iran to launch missile attacks against Israeli targets in response.

Takht-Ravanchi refuted accusations that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting that the nation’s uranium enrichment is intended solely for peaceful applications. He pointed out that Iran has been under strain from a lack of nuclear material for its research efforts, thus affirmatively stating the need to self-rely on its enrichment capabilities. In light of this, he criticized the idea of zero enrichment, interpreting such demands as aggressive and illegal.

Under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was limited to enriching uranium only up to a 3.67% purity level, which is suitable for civilian nuclear energy. However, following the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement in 2018, Iran began breaching these restrictions, including the resumption of enrichment at Fordo in 2021, leading to increasing global concerns.

The relationship between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has deteriorated amid accusations of the agency siding with U.S. and Israeli interests. Takht-Ravanchi underscored that trust needs to be rebuilt for any negotiations to succeed, stating that those critiquing Iran's actions should equally address the aggressive posture of the U.S. and Israel.

He remarked that despite domestic criticisms of Iranian governance, there exists a unified front against foreign aggression, insisting that any renewed dialogue must be approached with caution to prevent surprise military actions. Both Iran and its regional allies are navigating diplomatic avenues, with Qatar playing a crucial role in facilitating talks.

As tensions persist, the prospect of a peaceful resolution remains laden with challenges, and the Iranian government continues to advocate for dialogue while preparing for any potential aggression.