Iran’s Deputy FM: Tehran Ready for Compromise on Nuclear Deal

Tehran - BORNA - Amidst continuing regional tensions, where the U.S. government adopts a threatening tone on one hand while claiming a desire for negotiations on the other, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, outlined Tehran's positions in an in-depth interview with the BBC.

Speaking from Tehran, the Foreign Ministry official pointed to the Islamic Republic's will to achieve a fair agreement, asserting that the ball is now in the U.S. court to prove its genuine desire for a deal.

When asked about the current status of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. recently held in Oman, he stated: "If they (the Americans) are sincere, I am confident we will be on the path to an agreement."

Talks with the U.S. in Geneva this Tuesday

Confirming that the second round of these talks will take place this Tuesday in Geneva, Takht-Ravanchi described the atmosphere of the Oman negotiations as "more or less positive," though he added that it is too early for a final judgment.

Iran’s Proposal: Dialogue on 60% Enrichment in Exchange for Sanctions Relief

In another part of the interview, the Deputy Foreign Minister signaled Iran's goodwill, announcing that Tehran is prepared to discuss the issue of 60% enrichment and other aspects of its peaceful nuclear program with the American side.

"If they are ready to talk about the lifting of sanctions, we are also ready to discuss this issue (the dilution of 60% enriched uranium) and other matters related to our program," Takht-Ravanchi clarified.

When asked if this implies accepting the shipment of enriched material out of the country, as per the 2015 deal (JCPOA), he replied: "It is too early to say what will happen in the course of the negotiations."

"Zero Enrichment" is No Longer on the Table

A key focus of the interview was Iran’s reaffirmation of its inherent rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Stating that the concept of "Zero Enrichment"—previously raised by the U.S.—is no longer viable, the Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized: "The issue of zero enrichment is no longer an 'issue'; as far as Iran is concerned, this matter is not on the negotiating table."

These remarks follow recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who told reporters, "We don't want any enrichment (in Iran)." The contradiction between Iranian and American positions on the principle of enrichment appears to be one of the primary obstacles to progress in the nuclear talks.

U.S. Military Bases in the Region Considered Legitimate Targets

The Deputy Foreign Minister once again firmly rejected any negotiations regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran's missile capabilities.

Highlighting the key role of missiles in defending the country's territorial integrity, particularly against threats and attacks from the Zionist regime and the U.S., he said: "When we were attacked by the Israelis and Americans, our missiles came to our aid; so how can we accept depriving ourselves of our defensive capabilities?"

Expressing concern over conflicting messages from U.S. officials, Takht-Ravanchi said: "We hear they are interested in negotiations. They have said this publicly and expressed through private talks via Oman that they are interested in a peaceful resolution to these issues."

The Deputy Minister also noted Trump’s recent remarks regarding "regime change" in Iran, stating that such rhetoric is not reflected in private messages.

Furthermore, he pointed to the increased U.S. military presence in the region, warning: "If we perceive this as an existential threat, we will respond proportionately."

Takht-Ravanchi stated that another war would be catastrophic for everyone and particularly painful for its initiators, emphasizing that Iran considers U.S. military bases in the region as legitimate targets. In response to a question about the deployment of over 40,000 U.S. troops in the region, he said that in the event of any attack, "the game will be different."

Iran's Regional Authority and the Consensus Against War

The Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted intensive consultations between senior Iranian officials and their regional counterparts, stating: "We are witnessing a near-universal agreement in the region against war." He noted that this regional consensus, which includes regional countries contacting the U.S. President to warn of the broad consequences of a new war, demonstrates the position and authority of the Islamic Republic in regional equations.

Referring to the subversive role of the Zionist regime in attempting to sabotage the negotiation process, Takht-Ravanchi said: "We hope to achieve this through diplomacy, though we cannot be 100% certain. We must be vigilant not to be surprised."

In conclusion, expressing hope for the next round of talks in Geneva, he emphasized that Iran participates in these negotiations with the hope of reaching an agreement, but the other side must also prove its sincerity.

He assessed the presence of Jared Kushner, the U.S. President's son-in-law, in the last round of talks as a sign of greater U.S. seriousness, but simultaneously warned against shifts in American positions and interpretations in the interval between negotiating rounds.

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