Iran Signals Flexibility in Nuclear Negotiations with United States
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has declared that Tehran is prepared to consider significant compromises to achieve a nuclear agreement with the United States. This conditional offer hinges on Washington's willingness to engage in discussions about lifting the stringent sanctions imposed on Iran. Speaking exclusively to the BBC from Tehran, Takht-Ravanchi emphasized that the onus is now squarely on the American administration to demonstrate genuine intent.
"The responsibility lies with Washington. The ball is in America's court to prove they desire a deal. If they approach these negotiations with sincerity, I am confident we can pave the way toward a mutually acceptable agreement," stated Takht-Ravanchi during the interview.
Renewed Diplomatic Efforts Amidst Tensions
These remarks emerge against a backdrop of revitalized diplomatic initiatives between the two long-standing adversaries. Earlier this month, Iran and the United States participated in indirect discussions in Oman, with a subsequent round of talks scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva. Takht-Ravanchi characterized the initial dialogue as "progressing more or less in a positive direction, though it remains premature to draw definitive conclusions."
US President Donald Trump has similarly acknowledged the talks as constructive, yet he has concurrently issued stark warnings. Trump cautioned that a failure to secure a deal could potentially escalate to military strikes, underscoring the high stakes involved.
Core Issues: Uranium Enrichment and Sanctions
At the heart of the protracted dispute is Iran's nuclear program. Tehran has advanced its uranium enrichment to levels approaching 60%, which is alarmingly close to weapons-grade material. This development has sparked widespread international apprehension regarding Iran's potential pursuit of nuclear weapons—an allegation Iran has consistently and vehemently denied.
The Iranian official underscored Tehran's readiness for flexibility, citing its proposal to dilute highly enriched uranium as a tangible example of its compromise stance. "We are open to discussing this matter and other aspects of our nuclear activities, provided the United States is prepared to address the sanctions issue," he affirmed.
Regarding Iran's substantial stockpile of over 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, Takht-Ravanchi indicated it is "too early to determine" whether Tehran would agree to ship it out, as it did under the landmark 2015 nuclear accord. That agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was negotiated between Iran and world powers but was unilaterally abandoned by President Trump during his first term. The JCPOA had provided sanctions relief in exchange for rigorous restrictions on Iran's nuclear endeavors.
Iran's Non-Negotiable Red Lines
Iran maintains that any fresh negotiations must concentrate exclusively on nuclear matters. "Our assessment is that Washington has realized that to achieve a deal, the focus must remain on the nuclear issue," Takht-Ravanchi explained. He firmly stated that zero enrichment is entirely unacceptable to Tehran, labeling it a red line and a violation of Iran's rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"The concept of zero enrichment is no longer on the table as far as Iran is concerned," he declared, a position that directly contradicts President Trump's recent public insistence that "we do not want any enrichment."
Furthermore, Takht-Ravanchi reiterated Iran's refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program, despite mounting pressure from Washington and Israel. "When we faced attacks from Israelis and Americans, our missiles were our defense. How can we possibly agree to relinquish such defensive capabilities?" he questioned rhetorically.
Mixed Messages and Military Posturing
US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have attributed delays in the protracted negotiations to Iran. President Trump has expressed support for a deal but acknowledged the immense difficulty, threatening military action if a satisfactory agreement proves elusive. The United States has also bolstered its military presence in the region, a move Takht-Ravanchi described as a "potentially traumatic scenario" detrimental to all parties involved.
The deputy foreign minister voiced concerns over conflicting signals from Washington, particularly references by President Trump to potential regime change. "We receive indications of their interest in negotiations, both publicly and through private channels via Oman, suggesting a peaceful resolution is desired. However, such regime change rhetoric does not align with the private messages conveyed," he noted.
Cautious Hope for Geneva Talks
Despite profound mistrust and persistent disagreements, Takht-Ravanchi conveyed that Iran will approach the imminent Geneva talks with guarded optimism. "We will exert our utmost effort, but the opposing side must also substantiate their sincerity," he asserted.
The second round of discussions in Geneva is anticipated to involve US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with Omani representatives acting as mediators. Regional powers, including Qatar, are also contributing to facilitating the dialogue, highlighting the broader international interest in resolving this critical issue.
