The United States must demonstrate its seriousness in talks with Tehran if it wishes to resolve issues without escalating tensions, said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi.
Takht-Ravanchi joins a growing list of senior officials calling for renewed nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, warning that war would be catastrophic for the region and serve nobody’s interests.
In an interview aired on Sunday, he said recent contacts between Tehran and Washington — including indirect talks in Oman — indicate that the Trump administration is seeking a peaceful resolution.
“The ball is now in the US court, and it is they who must prove they want to make a deal,” the senior diplomat said.
“If the Americans are sincere, I am sure we will be on the road to an agreement,” he added.
Iran is ready to discuss its nuclear programme with the US “provided that they are also ready to talk about sanctions,” he emphasised.
“One cannot accept the notion that Iran has to do certain things without the other side committing itself to do its share,” he said.
He appeared to suggest that Tehran had resolved a key sticking point in the standoff over its nuclear programme.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that Tehran completely abandon the programme and adopt a “zero enrichment” policy.
“Our understanding is that the Americans have come to the conclusion that if you want to have a deal, you have to focus on the nuclear issue,” Takht-Ravanchi said, adding 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.”
Also read: Iran-US talks on nuclear pact to be held in Oman
Follow us
