Iran Signals Willingness to Compromise on Nuclear Program if US Lifts Sanctions

Tehran: Iran has publicly signalled that it is prepared to consider compromises on its nuclear program in order to revive a long-stalled nuclear deal with the United States — on the condition that Washington shows a serious willingness to lift crippling economic sanctions, Iranian officials said on Sunday.

In an interview with the BBC, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi emphasised that Tehran’s readiness to negotiate further restrictions and limitations on its nuclear activities hinges on Washington’s willingness to discuss the removal of sanctions that have been in place for years. He said Iran is open to talks in which both sides show concessions, but insisted that the next move must come from the United States.

Takht-Ravanchi confirmed that a second round of indirect negotiations between Iranian and US representatives is scheduled to take place this week in Geneva, building on preliminary discussions held earlier this month in Oman under Omani mediation. He described earlier exchanges as largely positive but cautioned it was too soon to judge whether a deal could be reached.

A key point in Tehran’s position — emphasised by diplomats — is Iran’s proposal to dilute uranium that has been enriched to higher levels, which Iran suggests could demonstrate its willingness to rein in parts of its nuclear program. In exchange, Iran expects full relief from financial and economic sanctions imposed by the United States since its 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran has stopped short of agreeing to complete cessation of uranium enrichment, a demand previously put forward by Washington and one that continues to be a major sticking point in negotiations. Takht-Ravanchi reiterated that Tehran still rejects demands for zero enrichment but is willing to explore other limitations if sanctions relief is on the table.

The Iran-US nuclear dispute has been a focal point of international diplomacy for over a decade. Since the US withdrawal from the 2015 deal — which had offered sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear work — relations have remained strained and negotiations deferred by regional crises and mutual mistrust.

Iran’s announcement marks a notable shift in tone, reflecting the country's strategic calculation that sanctions relief remains essential for its economy and its willingness to re-engage diplomatically — even as major differences remain over enrichment levels and verification mechanisms.