Iran Demands US Compensation for War Damage as Precondition for Nuclear Talks
TEHRAN – July 31, 2025
Iran is demanding financial compensation from the United States for losses incurred during a recent conflict as a prerequisite for resuming nuclear negotiations, according to comments made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqji to the Financial Times. The minister also insisted on guarantees that Iran will not be attacked during future talks.
Araqji stated that the U.S. must explain its actions during the recent conflict and ensure such incidents do not recur. “They must compensate (Iran for) the damage they caused,” he told the newspaper in an interview conducted in Tehran.
The Iranian chief nuclear negotiator indicated that tangible confidence-building measures are necessary before talks can recommence. These measures, he elaborated, should include financial compensation and assurances against further military action during negotiations.
The United States launched attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities last month, which Washington claims are aimed at preventing the progress of nuclear weapons.Iran maintains that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian purposes.
The financial Times report also noted that Araqji and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkeov have exchanged messages since the conflict began.Araqji emphasized the need for a mutually beneficial resolution to the protracted dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
As of this report, neither the White House nor the U.S. State Department had responded to requests for comment from Reuters.
Background: Iran’s Nuclear Program and International Negotiations
The ongoing dispute centers on Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran asserts is for peaceful energy generation. Though, international concerns persist regarding the potential for diversion of nuclear materials for weapons development. Years of complex negotiations have sought to establish verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Previous agreements, such as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aimed to address these concerns. However, the status and effectiveness of such agreements have been subject to shifts in political administrations and geopolitical tensions, leading to periods of heightened confrontation and renewed diplomatic efforts.
The recent military actions and the subsequent Iranian demands highlight the fragile nature of the diplomatic process and the deep-seated mistrust that continues to characterize the relationship between Iran and the United States on this critical issue.
