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Iran has signaled openness to compromise on a nuclear deal if the United States is willing to discuss lifting sanctions, according to a senior Iranian official speaking on Sunday.
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, told the BBC that “the ball is in America’s court to prove that they want to do a deal,” adding that “if they are sincere, I’m sure we will be on the road to an agreement.”
“We are ready to discuss this and other issues related to our program if they are ready to talk about sanctions,” Takht-Ravanchi said, highlighting Iran’s position that sanctions relief must be part of any potential agreement.
His comments came as Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, traveled to Geneva for a second round of indirect talks with the U.S. delegation, with Oman continuing its role as mediator. These talks represent the latest attempt to revive diplomatic efforts that collapsed in 2025 after a period of escalated tensions involving Israeli military action against Iran and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The United States has maintained that Iran, not the U.S., is responsible for the lack of progress in negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on February 14 that while President Donald Trump would prefer to reach an agreement, it was “very hard to do” with Iran.
Takht-Ravanchi pointed to Tehran’s willingness to dilute its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity as evidence of its readiness to compromise. When asked whether Iran would ship abroad its more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, as it did under the 2015 nuclear deal, he responded that it was “too early to say what will happen in the course of negotiations.”
The Iranian official emphasized that one of Iran’s main demands is for talks to focus specifically on the nuclear issue. “Our understanding is that they have come to the conclusion that if you want to have a deal you have to focus on the nuclear issue,” he said. He also made clear that “the issue of zero enrichment is not an issue anymore and as far as Iran is concerned, it is not on the table anymore,” indicating Iran’s insistence on maintaining some level of uranium enrichment capability.
The negotiations are taking place against a backdrop of heightened military tensions. Trump has threatened further military action if a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program cannot be reached. The U.S. has reinforced its military presence in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, as it prepares for the possibility of sustained operations against Iran.
These developments follow a period of domestic unrest within Iran, with widespread protests in December reportedly resulting in thousands of deaths at the hands of the clerical regime, according to reports.
The ongoing talks represent a critical juncture in U.S.-Iran relations. A successful agreement could potentially ease tensions that have escalated dramatically in recent years, while failure could lead to further military confrontation in an already volatile Middle East.
The stakes are particularly high for global energy markets, as any military conflict involving Iran could significantly disrupt oil supplies from the Persian Gulf region, potentially triggering price spikes and economic disruption worldwide.
Regional powers are closely monitoring these developments, with Israel particularly concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states also have significant interests in the outcome of these negotiations, as they seek to counter Iran’s influence in the region.
As talks continue in Geneva, both sides face domestic political pressures that complicate the path to an agreement, with hardliners in both countries skeptical of diplomatic solutions.
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11 Comments
It’s positive to see Iran signaling flexibility, but the US will need to reciprocate with a constructive approach if these talks are to have any chance of success. Finding the right balance on sanctions relief will be key.
This is a complex geopolitical issue with major ramifications for the global energy and commodities markets. I’m hopeful the talks in Geneva can lead to a diplomatic breakthrough, but it will require both sides to approach the negotiations with an open mind and a genuine desire to find common ground.
Interesting to see Iran signal openness to compromise on the nuclear deal, but it’ll be key to see if the US is willing to discuss sanctions relief as part of the negotiations. Sanctions have been a major sticking point in the past.
Iran seems to be taking a pragmatic approach by signaling flexibility, but the US will need to demonstrate real commitment to the talks as well. Sanctions relief is understandably a red line for Iran, so finding common ground there will be crucial.
Sanctions have been a major point of contention, so Iran’s openness to discuss this issue is an encouraging sign. However, the US will need to demonstrate real flexibility and a genuine desire to reach a mutually agreeable deal.
This is an important geopolitical issue with major implications for the global energy and commodity markets. I’m curious to see how the negotiations progress and whether a deal can be reached that addresses both sides’ core concerns.
The collapse of the previous nuclear deal in 2025 was a setback, so it’s good to see both sides willing to restart negotiations. Careful diplomacy and compromise will be needed to reach a new agreement that is acceptable to all parties.
With the high stakes involved, including the potential impact on global energy and commodity markets, I’ll be closely following the developments in these Geneva talks. Finding the right balance on sanctions relief will be key to unlocking progress.
The implications of these negotiations go well beyond just the nuclear issue, as they could have significant ripple effects on global energy and commodities markets. I’ll be following the developments closely.
With the high stakes involved, including the potential impact on global energy and commodity markets, I hope the US and Iran can find a constructive path forward through these talks in Geneva. Productive dialogue is essential.
The collapse of the previous nuclear deal in 2025 was a major setback, so it’s encouraging to see both sides willing to restart negotiations. Navigating the sanctions issue will be crucial, as Iran has made it clear this is a red line. Careful diplomacy and compromise will be essential.