Wednesday, 13 August, 2025
Iran’s first Vice President Mohammadreza Aref said on Tuesday that direct nuclear negotiations with the United States could take place if “suitable conditions” are met, according to state media. However, he dismissed Washington’s demand that Tehran entirely abandon uranium enrichment as “a joke.”
The announcement comes amid a tense backdrop following the suspension of the sixth round of talks between Tehran and Washington, which were interrupted after Israeli and US strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Both the US and Israel accuse Iran of covertly pursuing nuclear weapons—a charge Tehran vehemently denies, insisting its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
“Iran is ready for negotiations under equal conditions in order to safeguard its interests,” Aref said. “The Islamic Republic's stance reflects the will of the people, and should suitable conditions arise, we are even ready for direct talks.”
Since April, previous rounds of nuclear talks have been indirect, mediated by Oman, with Washington demanding Iran halt uranium enrichment—a process Iran insists is a sovereign right and critical to its energy program.
The US maintains uranium enrichment is a pathway to nuclear weapons development and insists on its cessation for any meaningful agreement.
In a recent statement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian advocated for resuming talks regardless of the prevailing distrust. “You don’t want to talk? Well then, what do you want to do? Do you want to go to war?” he asked, emphasizing that negotiations do not signify surrender but must be approached pragmatically, not emotionally.
However, Pezeshkian’s remarks drew swift criticism from within Iran’s political-military establishment. Aziz Ghazanfari, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards, cautioned on Monday that foreign policy demands discretion, warning that careless statements by officials could have serious consequences for national security and diplomatic standing.
The dynamic reflects ongoing internal debates within Iran about how best to navigate the fraught relationship with the US while safeguarding national interests amid external pressures and regional conflicts.
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Iran’s first Vice President Mohammadreza Aref said on Tuesday that direct nuclear negotiations with the United States could take place if “suitable conditions” are met, according to state media. However, he dismissed Washington’s demand that Tehran entirely abandon uranium enrichment as “a joke.”
The announcement comes amid a tense backdrop following the suspension of the sixth round of talks between Tehran and Washington, which were interrupted after Israeli and US strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Both the US and Israel accuse Iran of covertly pursuing nuclear weapons—a charge Tehran vehemently denies, insisting its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
“Iran is ready for negotiations under equal conditions in order to safeguard its interests,” Aref said. “The Islamic Republic's stance reflects the will of the people, and should suitable conditions arise, we are even ready for direct talks.”
Since April, previous rounds of nuclear talks have been indirect, mediated by Oman, with Washington demanding Iran halt uranium enrichment—a process Iran insists is a sovereign right and critical to its energy program.
The US maintains uranium enrichment is a pathway to nuclear weapons development and insists on its cessation for any meaningful agreement.
In a recent statement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian advocated for resuming talks regardless of the prevailing distrust. “You don’t want to talk? Well then, what do you want to do? Do you want to go to war?” he asked, emphasizing that negotiations do not signify surrender but must be approached pragmatically, not emotionally.
However, Pezeshkian’s remarks drew swift criticism from within Iran’s political-military establishment. Aziz Ghazanfari, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards, cautioned on Monday that foreign policy demands discretion, warning that careless statements by officials could have serious consequences for national security and diplomatic standing.
The dynamic reflects ongoing internal debates within Iran about how best to navigate the fraught relationship with the US while safeguarding national interests amid external pressures and regional conflicts.
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