Iran may engage in direct talks with the United States if it reverses its arrogant and hostile policy and honors its international commitments, says a senior lawmaker.
"There is a possibility if they commit to the JCPOA, apologize and put their hostile policies aside," Ali Najafi-Khoshroodi, the spokesperson for the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told ISNA in remarks published on Saturday when asked if direct talks with the US are possible.
US President Donald Trump in May pulled out of the 2015 international nuclear deal -- formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action -- that was concluded before he took office, denouncing it as one-sided in Iran's favor. The agreement was signed by Iran, the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.
However, in a rather unexpected move on July 30, he said he is willing to meet President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions.
Question of Dignity, Interests
Najafi-Khoshroodi says Iran’s position is that its honor, dignity and interests should not be undermined in any negotiations.
"We can use international opportunities. We prefer dialogue, negotiations and interaction," he said. "Nothing is permanent when it comes to foreign policy."
The people’s representative from Babol in the northern Mazandaran Province believes that Trump's offer of direct talks is indeed meant to restore the US image, which has been tarnished by its failure to honor international agreements.
"The United States paid a heavy price after its withdrawal from the JCPOA and is now seen in the world as a violator of commitments as well as international law and regulations," the MP said.
Trump wants to improve his image with such a proposal and in the process create the false impression that the US is willing to negotiate but Iran is not, he added.
Conditions
Asked about the fact that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has listed some conditions for talks, the parliamentarian said. “It is Iran that should set conditions. Iran has a long list of demands from the United States – a country that has often moved against our interest and national security over the past several decades."
Just hours after Trump's offer of direct talks, Pompeo told CNBC, "If the Iranians demonstrate a commitment to make fundamental changes in how they treat their own people, reduce their malign behavior, can agree that it's worthwhile to enter into a nuclear agreement that actually prevents proliferation, then the president said he's prepared to sit down and have the conversation with them."
Echoing the analysis of many political observers inside the US, the lawmaker said US foreign policy is “in chaos and there are many in the US that do not support” Trump's arrogance and hostility towards Iran.
No Taboo
A senior adviser to the Parliament speaker says negotiating with the US has never been a "taboo" and this is demonstrated in the fact that Iranian officials met with American authorities during talks that led to the conclusion of the nuclear agreement.
"The problem is not dialogue but rather the US bullying attitude, long list of crimes and its repeated breaches. The ability to identify the opportune time and maintain a strong position are two tenets of every diplomatic negotiation," Hossein Amir-Abdollahian wrote on his official Twitter account on Saturday.
