Tehran: Saeed Khatibzadeh, head of the Center for Political and International Studies at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has emphasized that Tehran is not in a hurry to engage with the United States. He stated that if the US maintains its aggressive stance against the Islamic Republic, Iranians are prepared to respond decisively.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in an interview with China’s Phoenix Television, Khatibzadeh highlighted Iran’s hesitance to engage in indirect negotiations with the United States without assurances for productive talks. He criticized the US for its lack of boundaries when it comes to attacking peaceful nuclear sites in other countries, asserting the necessity of curbing such reckless actions.

Furthermore, Khatibzadeh dismissed the notion of Israel being a partner, as Iran does not recognize Israel as a country. He confirmed Tehran’s intention to continue collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noting the return of inspectors to Iran after their voluntary departure.

Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities were underscored, with Khatibzadeh highlighting that the country’s 60% enriched uranium remains under IAEA supervision. He affirmed Iran’s commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the IAEA, maintaining that the enrichment is for non-military purposes.

Khatibzadeh also emphasized the importance of a stable West Asia region, which he believes relies on the establishment of a Palestinian state. He pointed to Iran’s coordination with allies to counter the goals of intelligence agencies like Mossad and the CIA.

Reiterating Iran’s advocacy for peace, Khatibzadeh noted Iran’s history of not initiating conflict for several centuries. He concluded by stating that Iran remains focused on preserving peace and sovereignty while navigating the complexities of international relations.