Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Expediency Council, made the remarks in an interview published Wednesday by the official website of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

He cited the three guiding principles outlined by the Leader — dignity, wisdom, and expediency — as the foundation of any negotiation worthy of the Islamic Republic’s participation.

“If negotiations are conducted on logical grounds and the dignity of the Islamic Republic is respected, we are ready to talk, provided that nothing is imposed upon us. If there is any attempt at imposition, we will stand against it,” he said.

Kharrazi referred to Ayatollah Khamenei’s recent remarks rejecting US demands over nuclear talks, saying that “accepting talks under threat is something no honorable nation would ever do, and no wise statesman would ever endorse.”

He added that the Leader stressed talks with the United States were not in Iran’s interest because Washington had predetermined the outcome — halting the country’s nuclear activities and enrichment. “That is not negotiation. That is dictation, that is imposition,” Kharrazi quoted Khamenei as saying.

He elaborated on the three principles, defining dignity as preserving national honor, wisdom as using reason in dialogue, and expediency as showing realistic flexibility to achieve mutual benefit.

“Dignity means preserving national honor and avoiding any sense of humiliation. Wisdom means relying on logic and rational argument in dialogue. Expediency means realistic understanding of circumstances and showing reasonable flexibility to achieve a win–win outcome.”

Kharrazi said Iran’s acceptance of indirect talks with the United States before the Israeli-American war in June demonstrated wisdom, showing readiness for dialogue while countering claims that Tehran avoided negotiations.

“Despite doubts about the sincerity of the other side, the Leader approved the framework of indirect talks to showcase Iran’s logic and goodwill to the world,” he said.

He noted that during five rounds of indirect talks, Iran maintained its dignity, safeguarded its right to enrichment, and showed reasonable flexibility.

‘12-Day War Proved West’s Lack of Commitment to Dialogue’

According to Kharrazi, the 12-day war revealed that Western parties were not serious about logical dialogue and sought to impose broader restrictions.

“Iran will never negotiate its missile capability or (support for) the (regional) Resistance Axis,” he said. “We express our positions rationally, but will never submit to imposed talks.”

He stressed that Iran’s two decades of nuclear diplomacy show it has never rejected diplomacy. “For us, diplomacy is not a sign of weakness, but a symbol of rationality and strength,” he said.

Citing actions under former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani, Kharrazi said Iran’s nuclear countermeasures in response to violations proved it should always be ready for talks but never accept pressure.

Recent engagement with Europe aimed to reverse its push for reactivating nuclear-related sanctions followed the same logic, he said, noting that Iran showed flexibility while Europe persisted with counterproductive measures.

‘West Misunderstands Iran’s Religious Culture’

Kharrazi said Western accusations that Iran seeks to divert its nuclear program stem from ignorance of its religious principles.

He pointed to Ayatollah Khamenei’s fatwa banning nuclear weapons, saying, “Westerners do not take this fatwa seriously because they fail to understand our religious culture and assume Iran may change course in the future.”

As proof of Iran’s peaceful intentions, he noted that the country voluntarily implemented the IAEA’s Additional Protocol, allowing unannounced inspections.

“The IAEA’s data confirming that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons is the result of these inspections,” he said, calling the nuclear issue a pretext for political pressure against Iran’s revolution.

Asked whether uranium enrichment was worth enduring sanctions, Kharrazi said self-reliance is a core principle of the Islamic Republic.

“Just as we achieved independence in missile and defense sectors, we must be self-sufficient in energy as well,” he said. “Oil will eventually run out, so the country must develop alternative sources, including nuclear energy.”

He said producing fuel domestically prevents foreign dependence and pressure. “Iran’s long-term goal is to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear electricity,” he added. “Fuel supply for these reactors must be planned now, because uranium enrichment is Iran’s inalienable right and the cornerstone of our energy independence.”

‘Iran’s Swift Response Forced Enemy to Seek Ceasefire’

Commenting on the recent conflict, Kharrazi said Iran’s decisive military response forced the enemy to request a ceasefire.

“By acting first, it (the Israeli regime) made a grave mistake,” he said. “Iran’s powerful and swift response forced the enemy to seek a ceasefire.”

He said the Islamic Republic remains ready for any development through domestic strength and military preparedness.

“In politics and defense, we must always be ready for any development. The Islamic Republic, relying on its domestic strength and the resolve of its serviceman, possesses that readiness.”

Kharrazi noted that Israel relied on US weapons such as the THAAD radar, while Iran acted with full independence.

He also highlighted the Leader’s performance during the aggression, noting that Ayatollah Khamenei promptly appointed replacements after the martyrdom of senior Iranian commanders.