Iran says talks with US never stopped, warns it will defend its dignity

<article data-history-node-id="439385" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-says-talks-us-never-stopped-warns-it-will-defend-its-dignity" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-says-talks-us-never-stopped-warns-it-will-defend-its-dignity" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Iran says talks with US never stopped, warns it will defend its dignity</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p data-end="497" data-start="298">Iran’s judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei has said Tehran has maintained engagement with the United States, while warning the country will respond if its sovereignty is challenged.</p> <p data-end="603" data-start="499">Speaking to state media, Mohseni-Ejei said Iran has not withdrawn from dialogue despite rising tensions.</p> <p data-end="790" data-start="605">“We do not welcome war, but we are not afraid of it,” he said, according to IRIB. “If our dignity is threatened, we will fight for our dignity, this is the firm position of our nation.”</p> <p data-end="895" data-start="792">He added that Iran remains open to diplomacy but stressed that negotiations must be grounded in reason.</p> <p data-end="1096" data-start="897">“We certainly do not accept imposition. An enemy that has not achieved any of its goals and objectives through aggression and threats cannot be imposing or demanding at the negotiating table either.”</p> <p data-end="1182" data-start="1098">The chief justice also said Tehran would seek accountability through legal channels.</p> <p data-end="1269" data-is-last-node data-is-only-node data-start="1184">“We will pursue and punish war criminals and obtain compensation from them,” he said.</p> </div> </div> </article>