Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, has indicated that Tehran could dilute its highly enriched uranium stockpile if the United States agrees to lift all sanctions imposed on the country since 1989. Speaking to the media on Monday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) suggested that Iran was prepared to show flexibility on US demands to end its nuclear enrichment programme and move towards a “zero enrichment” policy.
The United States has long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful, civilian purposes.
Eslami stated, “Iran could consider diluting all of its enriched stockpile,” which is currently enriched to 60 per cent.
He added that such a compromise would only be possible if “all sanctions are lifted in return.”
His comments contrast with those made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday, who firmly rejected any proposal to halt enrichment activities, even under the threat of war.
Araghchi said, “Zero enrichment can never be accepted by us. Hence, we need to focus on discussions that accept enrichment inside Iran while building trust that enrichment is and will remain for peaceful purposes.”
He further explained that Iran’s insistence on enrichment is “not merely technical or economic” but rooted in “a desire for independence and dignity.”
The statements come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the United States warning of potential military strikes, Iran threatening missile attacks on Israel, and a significant US naval presence in the Gulf.
At the same time, indirect talks between Washington and Tehran have continued in Oman, which Iran has described as a “good start”.
Meanwhile, regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain, have informed both sides that they will not allow their territories to be used for American fighter jet operations in any military campaign against Iran.
They have also conveyed to Tehran that there would be no retaliation if Iran limits any response to US military bases only.
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