THE United States must compensate for losses to Iran’s nuclear programme caused by its air strikes before Tehran agrees to resume negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today.

Mr Araghchi told the Financial Times: “They should explain why they attacked us in the middle of negotiations and they have to ensure that they are not going to repeat that. 

“They have to compensate Iran for the damage that they have done.”

Mr Araghchi said there was every possibility of resuming talks but there was now a deep distrust of the US.

He added: “People are telling me, ‘Don’t waste your time anymore, don’t be cheated by them. If they come to negotiations it’s only a cover-up for their other intentions’.” 

“With the Europeans, there is no reason right now to negotiate because they cannot lift sanctions, they cannot do anything. 

“If they do snapback that means that this is the end of the road for them,” he said.

Snapback refers to the reinstatement of United Nations security council sanctions against Iran.

US President Donald Trump has suggested that the US is prepared to launch new strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran pursues its nuclear programme. 

Mr Araghchi vowed a strong response if another attack was launched.