Iran offers nuclear concessions under conditions while holding firm on missiles
Amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran and an усиление of the US naval military presence in the Middle East, Iran has reiterated its willingness to engage in negotiations with the United States that would guarantee it does not acquire nuclear weapons, on the condition that sanctions are lifted.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country is ready to adopt an agreement that “ensures the absence of nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of sanctions,” stressing that Tehran continues to favor dialogue and diplomacy despite the charged atmosphere.
In a post published Saturday on the X platform, Araghchi added that Iran is open to engaging with countries in the region in the interest of safeguarding security and stability, pointing to a regional role Tehran seeks to assert alongside any potential negotiating track with Washington.
No current basis for negotiations
In the same context, the Iranian foreign minister stated during a visit to Istanbul on Friday that his country welcomes Turkish efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the region, emphasizing the importance of reducing regional tensions and creating conditions conducive to political dialogue.
However, Araghchi stressed in an interview with CNN Türk that “there is currently no serious basis for negotiations with America,” explaining that Tehran believes the atmosphere of threats and pressure must be removed before any genuine talks can take place.
At a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, Araghchi announced Iran’s readiness to resume nuclear talks with Washington “on an equal footing,” provided the negotiations are fair and balanced, while reaffirming that Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities are “non-negotiable.”
An unclear US deadline
These statements come amid unprecedented regional tension and Turkish and Arab efforts to contain escalation, particularly following remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said Friday evening that he had granted Iran a deadline for negotiations, without disclosing its details.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I can say they want to make a deal,” noting that Tehran alone knows the nature of the time frame it has been given. He added, “We hope to reach an agreement, that would be better, and if it doesn’t happen, we’ll see what takes place.”
The US president had previously expressed hope of avoiding military action against Iran, while warning that “time is running out,” in rhetoric reminiscent of earlier scenarios that preceded US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
In recent weeks, Washington has reinforced its military presence in the region by deploying a naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which Trump described as a “very powerful fleet,” larger than the US deployment off the coast of Venezuela.
Israeli concern over limited negotiation scope
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv is viewing with concern indications that the US president’s focus is limited to Iran’s nuclear program and the suppression of protests, without addressing the missile program.
According to these reports, Israel is seeking to include the issue of ballistic missiles in any US demands, considering it a direct threat to its security, especially after Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles during the war in mid-last year, hitting Israeli cities and military bases and causing widespread destruction.
Israeli assessments suggest that Iran has begun developing its missile arsenal in the post-war phase, further complicating the regional landscape and placing potential negotiations under additional strain.
