GENEVA: Iran is seeking a nuclear agreement with the United States that provides economic benefits to both sides, an Iranian diplomat said on Sunday, days ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and Washington aimed at resolving their long-standing dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran and the United States resumed negotiations earlier this month to ease tensions and avert the risk of military confrontation, with Donald Trump indicating a preference for diplomacy despite warning that a negotiated settlement may not materialise.
Speaking at a press conference in Bratislava, Marco Rubio said the US administration was willing to pursue dialogue. “No one’s ever been able to do a successful deal with Iran, but we’re going to try,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran struck a conciliatory tone, with Foreign Ministry deputy director for economic diplomacy Hamid Ghanbari saying that any durable agreement must also ensure economic gains for Washington.
“For the sake of an agreement’s durability, it is essential that the US also benefits in areas with high and quick economic returns,” he said, according to Iranian media, adding that potential cooperation could include oil and gas projects, mining investments and aircraft purchases.
The latest diplomatic efforts follow the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement after the United States withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.
According to officials, a US delegation including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner is expected to meet Iranian representatives in Geneva this week. The talks are being mediated by Oman.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has travelled to Geneva to participate in the indirect negotiations and hold meetings with officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi also signalled Tehran’s willingness to compromise, stating that Iran could consider measures such as diluting highly enriched uranium in exchange for sanctions relief, while reiterating that the country would not accept a complete halt to uranium enrichment.
Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, while the United States and its allies view domestic enrichment as a potential pathway to weaponisation.
The renewed diplomatic push comes amid heightened regional tensions. Washington has reportedly deployed additional military assets to the Middle East while increasing economic pressure on Tehran, including efforts to curb Iranian oil exports to China following discussions between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week.