Iran Closes Door on Nuclear Talks, Demands End to "Attacks" First
Tehran – June 20, 2025
Iran has declared it will not engage in any new negotiations regarding its nuclear program until what it describes as "attacks" targeting the country cease. The declaration significantly escalates tensions and further dims the prospect of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.
The firm stance was delivered by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani during a press conference in Tehran on Thursday.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran sees no point in pursuing diplomatic negotiations on the nuclear file while hostile actions, including acts of sabotage and assassinations targeting our nation and its scientific achievements, continue unabated."
"The security of our people and the integrity of our peaceful nuclear program are non-negotiable prerequisites. Any resumption of talks is contingent upon the complete cessation of these attacks."
Unspoken Accusations
While Kanaani did not explicitly name the perpetrators, Iranian officials have repeatedly blamed Israel—and at times the United States—for a series of incidents in recent years, including:
- Cyberattacks: Targeting nuclear and industrial infrastructure.
- Sabotage: Mysterious explosions and fires at sensitive sites.
- Assassinations: The killings of Iranian nuclear scientists, most recently in 2022.
Stalled Diplomacy & Advancing Program
This announcement delivers a serious blow to efforts aimed at reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Talks in Vienna collapsed over a year ago amid mutual distrust, Iran’s demand for future US compliance guarantees, and unresolved IAEA concerns about undeclared nuclear materials.
Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear activities have accelerated. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
- Iran is enriching uranium up to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade.
- Iran’s stockpile vastly exceeds JCPOA limits.
- Iran insists its nuclear program remains for peaceful purposes only.
International Reaction: Concern & Skepticism
- Western Powers: U.S. and EU officials criticized the move, seeing it as a delaying tactic while Iran’s nuclear capabilities advance unchecked. They urged Iran to return to the JCPOA and comply with IAEA inspections.
- Israel: Though no formal comment was made, Israeli leaders have consistently warned they will act independently if necessary to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
- IAEA: The UN agency again called for full cooperation from Iran, urging transparency and access for inspectors regardless of diplomatic conditions.
Analysis: A Deepening Stalemate
Experts warn this signals a shift in Iran’s negotiating posture, potentially cementing a long-term diplomatic deadlock.
"This effectively ties any diplomatic progress to an end to covert actions Iran attributes to its adversaries, primarily Israel," said Dr. Leila Rahman, a regional security expert. "It’s a significant escalation of demands and makes the prospect of near-term negotiations vanishingly slim. The risk of further program advancement or even open conflict is now palpably higher."
Western nations now face a difficult diplomatic choice: acknowledging or addressing Iran’s demand may imply tacit admission of covert actions, which is politically implausible. But rejecting the condition outright leaves diplomacy paralyzed, even as Iran moves closer to nuclear breakout capability.