Iran has indicated it is open to making compromises in its ongoing nuclear discussions with the United States — but only if meaningful sanctions relief is placed on the table.
In an interview with the BBC, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated that Tehran is prepared to explore flexibility in negotiations, provided Washington is willing to address the lifting of financial sanctions that have severely impacted Iran’s economy.
Iran has consistently maintained that it is open to discussing limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, officials have firmly rejected any attempt to broaden the scope of talks to include other issues, such as its missile program.
Takht-Ravanchi confirmed that a second round of nuclear negotiations is scheduled to take place Tuesday in Geneva. The talks follow earlier discussions held in Oman, where indirect contacts between Tehran and Washington resumed after months of diplomatic stagnation.
According to Takht-Ravanchi, the initial round of talks progressed “more or less in a positive direction,” though he cautioned that it remains too early to determine whether a breakthrough is imminent.
Sources previously told Reuters that a U.S. delegation, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is expected to participate in the Geneva discussions, with Omani representatives continuing their role as intermediaries between the two sides.
Iran’s atomic energy chief further signaled potential flexibility by suggesting that Tehran could agree to dilute its most highly enriched uranium stockpiles if all financial sanctions are lifted. Takht-Ravanchi referenced this example to demonstrate what he described as Iran’s constructive approach to negotiations.
Despite this, the senior diplomat reiterated a critical red line: Iran will not accept a zero uranium enrichment policy. This issue has long been a central obstacle in talks, with Washington viewing domestic enrichment as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons development. Tehran, however, continues to deny any intention of pursuing nuclear arms.
The renewed diplomatic effort comes years after former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear accord — formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — which had been a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy. The agreement lifted international sanctions in exchange for strict limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities.
Today’s negotiations represent another chapter in a long and complex diplomatic saga. For Iran, sanctions relief is not merely a political objective but an economic necessity. For the United States, nuclear transparency and non-proliferation remain paramount concerns.
Beyond the geopolitical calculations and strategic messaging, ordinary citizens on both sides continue to feel the ripple effects of these decisions. In Iran, sanctions have shaped daily life — affecting access to medicine, financial stability, and economic opportunity. In the United States, policymakers face pressure to balance national security with diplomatic engagement.
As Geneva prepares to host another round of talks, the world watches closely — not just for political outcomes, but for the possibility of reduced tensions in a region long marked by uncertainty. Whether this renewed dialogue leads to compromise or stalemate may shape the diplomatic landscape for years to come.
