Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Feb 15: Iran is ready to consider compromises to secure a nuclear deal with the United States if Washington is willing to discuss lifting sanctions, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has said.

In an interview in Tehran, Takht-Ravanchi stated that the ball was “in America’s court” to demonstrate sincerity in the ongoing negotiations. “If they are sincere, I’m sure we will be on the road to an agreement,” he said.

His remarks come amid repeated assertions by US officials that Iran is responsible for delays in the protracted talks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that President Donald Trump preferred a deal but acknowledged it was “very hard” to reach one with Tehran.

The US and Iran held indirect talks in Oman earlier this month, with a second round scheduled in Geneva on Tuesday. Takht-Ravanchi described the discussions as moving in a “more or less positive direction” but cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions.

Iran has indicated willingness to dilute its stockpile of 60 per cent enriched uranium, which is near weapons-grade level and has heightened international concerns. However, Takht-Ravanchi declined to confirm whether Iran would ship out its more than 400 kg of highly enriched uranium, as it did under the 2015 nuclear deal.

Russia has reportedly offered to accept enriched uranium again, while other proposals include a temporary suspension of enrichment by Tehran.

A key sticking point remains enrichment itself. Takht-Ravanchi said the demand for “zero enrichment” was no longer on the table from Iran’s perspective, contradicting recent comments by Trump that the US did not want any enrichment. Iran maintains that halting enrichment entirely would violate its rights under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Tehran has also reiterated its refusal to discuss its ballistic missile programme, arguing that its missile capabilities are essential for defence. Takht-Ravanchi warned that any new conflict in the region would be “traumatic” and destabilising, especially amid an increased US military presence.

He added that regional countries were largely united in opposing another war and expressed cautious hope that diplomacy could prevail, though he acknowledged deep mistrust following last year’s hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Despite scepticism from observers, Iran has said it will enter the next round of talks in Geneva with the intention of reaching an agreement, provided the US demonstrates genuine commitment.