TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Saturday that Tehran would be willing to consider a “fair, balanced, and reasonable” nuclear proposal from the United States, but clarified that no such offer has yet been presented.
Speaking to state television, Araqchi noted that while Iran remains open to dialogue, it will not compromise on its “right to enrich uranium,” a cornerstone of its nuclear policy. However, he added that Tehran is prepared to adopt “confidence-building measures” to demonstrate the peaceful intent of its nuclear program.
“If we receive a reasonable, balanced, and fair proposal from the Americans for negotiations, we will certainly consider it,” Araqchi said. “But this is conditional on the other side also taking steps to build trust — by lifting part of the sanctions.”
The minister confirmed that indirect communication between Tehran and Washington has continued through mediators, though no breakthrough has yet been achieved.
Diplomatic deadlock and lingering mistrust
Tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions have persisted for years. The United States, along with its European allies and Israel, accuse Tehran of seeking to develop the capability to produce nuclear weapons — a claim Iran has consistently rejected, insisting its programme is entirely peaceful.
Efforts to revive the nuclear talks have been further complicated by a lack of trust and competing security interests in the region. Araqchi’s remarks came months after a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June, during which Washington joined in targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Prior to the escalation, Tehran and Washington had engaged in five rounds of indirect talks aimed at salvaging the faltering nuclear framework, but negotiations collapsed over key disputes — particularly the issue of uranium enrichment on Iranian soil. Western powers have demanded that Iran reduce its enrichment capacity to zero to prevent any possibility of weaponisation.
A cautious path forward
Analysts say Araqchi’s comments reflect a cautious diplomatic opening rather than a policy shift. By stressing the need for fairness and reciprocity, Tehran appears to be testing Washington’s willingness to offer meaningful sanctions relief before committing to fresh negotiations.
For now, both sides seem to be waiting for the other to make the first move — with Iran signalling openness to a “balanced” proposal while maintaining its red lines on enrichment and sovereignty.
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