In a pivotal interview with the BBC, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi expressed Tehran's readiness to consider compromises to revive stalled nuclear negotiations with the United States. He emphasized that any fruitful dialogue would require Washington to engage in discussions about lifting sanctions that have severely impacted Iran's economy.
Takht-Ravanchi characterized the recent indirect talks held in Oman as generally positive, stating, "The ball is in America's court to prove that they want to do a deal." He stressed that while Iran is prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program, these negotiations must not extend to its missile capabilities, which Tehran sees as critical defensive tools.
The upcoming round of negotiations, slated for Tuesday in Geneva, follows a period of escalating tensions and previous unsuccessful diplomatic efforts. Takht-Ravanchi noted that Iran has shown flexibility, offering to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in return for comprehensive sanctions relief. This enriched uranium, which reaches levels close to weapons-grade, has been a key point of contention in negotiations.
The Deputy Foreign Minister reiterated that Iran would not accept proposals mandating a complete halt to uranium enrichment, a critical issue that has previously stymied progress in talks. He pointed out that the fate of sanctions remains paramount; "We are ready to discuss this and other issues related to our program if they are ready to talk about sanctions."
As the second round of talks approaches, speculation continues about what compromises may be on the table. The U.S. side, including envoys like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is expected to engage with Iranian representatives under mediation from Oman.
The geopolitical stakes are high, as the United States navigates complex relations not only with Iran but also with Israel, which insists any agreement should address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxies.
In summary, Iran's current stance suggests a cautious path toward renewed negotiations, contingent upon genuine engagement from the U.S. regarding sanctions, paving the way for potentially significant developments in nuclear diplomacy.