Iran`s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper

Iran`s foreign minister has reiterated the Islamic Republic`s readiness to engage in dialogue based on respect for the nation`s rights, while dismissing any approach based on unilateral pressure.

Abbas Araghchi made the remarks to UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during a telephone conversation on Friday.

The former criticized the irresponsible approach adopted by the European trio of the UK, France, and Germany towards Iran`s peaceful nuclear energy program.

He emphasized that the Islamic Republic had never rejected negotiations and dialogue when they were based on respect for the Iranian nation`s legal rights and legitimate interests, but made clear that Tehran did not accept negotiations that amounted to one-sided imposition.

The conversation came amid heightened tensions following an illegal move by the three European parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a 2015 nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic.

On August 28, the troika invoked the so-called "snapback" mechanism under the JCPOA, triggering a 30-day process aimed at restoring all United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran.

Tehran rejected the move as illegitimate, pointing to the United States unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018 and the European trio`s alignment with the unlawful sanctions that were re-imposed on the country following the American withdrawal.

It underlined that in place of aligning themselves with Washington, the three states had to rather fulfill their obligations under the agreement.

An effort by Russia and China at the Security Council on September 26 to provide additional time for diplomacy failed to secure sufficient support. Two days later, the Western allies claimed that previous UN resolutions and the related sanctions against Iran had been re-imposed, calling on UN member states to implement the coercive measures.

The Islamic Republic has, ever since, unexceptionally underlined that it does not consider itself to be bound by the sanctions as it continues to view the allies` move as morally, legally, and procedurally flawed.

Addressing Araghchi during the call, Cooper cited the "necessity" of pursuing diplomacy in relation to Iran`s nuclear activities.

The officials also exchanged views on a range of issues related to bilateral relations, including consular matters, and stressed the importance of continuing consultations at various levels to enhance mutual understanding and follow up on issues of interest to both sides.