Majid Takht-Ravanchi, deputy foreign minister of Iran’s regime, announced that the Iranian government does not accept zero enrichment, but if the lifting of sanctions is placed on the agenda, it is ready to consider “compromise” in nuclear negotiations.
Speaking on Sunday, February 15, in an interview with BBC World, Takht-Ravanchi said that if the United States is willing to engage in talks about lifting sanctions, Iran’s regime will consider compromise to reach a nuclear agreement.
He added that the ball is in America’s court to prove that it seeks an agreement. If they are sincere, I am confident we will move toward reaching a deal.
Iran’s Regime Nuclear Program: Escalation, Military Capabilities, and Regional Consequences
Referring to the regime’s proposal to dilute its 60% enriched uranium stockpile, Takht-Ravanchi described it as a sign of readiness for compromise and acknowledged that they are prepared to discuss this issue and other matters related to the nuclear program, provided the other side is also ready to talk about sanctions.
He did not clarify whether the Iranian government seeks the removal of all sanctions or only part of them.
US President Donald Trump and other American officials have repeatedly emphasized that they will not allow Iran’s regime to obtain nuclear weapons.
On February 13, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated at the Munich Security Conference that following the 12-day war, the status of Iran’s regime’s nuclear program has fundamentally changed. However, if Tehran and Washington reach an agreement, it is still possible to design an inspection system for Iran’s nuclear facilities.
At the same time, he warned that the current state of Tehran’s nuclear file is not sustainable in the long term.
“Zero Enrichment Is No Longer on the Table”
Continuing the interview, the deputy foreign minister of Iran’s regime, in response to a question about the possibility of Tehran agreeing to remove more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from the country, said it is still too early to comment on what will occur during negotiations.
Takht-Ravanchi once again emphasized the continuation of enrichment by Iran’s regime and added that the issue of zero enrichment is no longer under discussion and, from Iran’s perspective, is no longer on the negotiating table.
On February 12, President Trump stated that a “good deal” with Tehran would be an agreement without nuclear weapons and without missiles.
On February 2, Reuters reported that Tehran is prepared to show “flexibility” in potential negotiations with Washington over the contentious issue of uranium enrichment, including by handing over 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium and accepting zero enrichment within the framework of a consortium mechanism.
However, Iranian government officials denied agreeing to remove enriched uranium stockpiles from the country.
Takht-Ravanchi’s Warning About the Consequences of War
Referring to the US military presence in the region and the possibility of an attack on Iran, Takht-Ravanchi warned that war would be a bitter and harmful experience for everyone… everyone would suffer, especially those who initiate such aggression.
He said Iran’s regime cannot be “100 percent certain” about resolving differences with the United States through diplomacy and must remain vigilant to avoid being caught off guard.
At the same time, Takht-Ravanchi added that the Iranian government will participate “with hope” in the next round of talks, scheduled to be held on Tuesday, February 16, in Geneva.
The first round of talks between Tehran and Washington following the 12-day war was held on February 8 in Muscat, the capital of Oman.
