Iran floats nuclear enrichment compromise

Tehran could dilute its highly enriched uranium if all sanctions on the country are lifted, Iran’s nuclear chief has suggested

Iran could dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in exchange for ending all sanctions imposed on the country, its atomic energy chief, Mohammad Eslami, has suggested.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) signaled Tehran was ready to show some flexibility on US demands to end its nuclear program and adopt a “zero enrichment” policy. Washington has long accused Tehran of trying to create nuclear weapons, while Iran has maintained that its program is strictly civilian.

Tehran could consider diluting its stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium, which is close to weapons-grade, if “all sanctions would be lifted in return,” Eslami stated. The AEOI boss did not say whether his proposal was related only to unilateral US sanctions or restrictions imposed on the country by other nations as well.  

The remarks come as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ruled out giving up uranium enrichment activities even under threat of war, stating the nuclear program is crucial for his country.  

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“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 stay for peaceful purposes,” Araghchi stated on Sunday.  

Iran’s “insistence on enrichment is not merely technical or economic,” the top diplomat explained, but is actually rooted in “a desire for independence and dignity.”  

The statements from Iran’s top officials come amid soaring tensions in the region, where the US recently deployed additional aerial and naval assets while repeatedly threatening military action. At the same time, Washington and Tehran have been engaged in indirect talks in Oman, with Iran calling the contacts a “good start.” 

Although the US and Iran have had poor relations for decades, they rapidly deteriorated following several unsuccessful rounds of talks on the country’s nuclear program held early last year. The unfruitful negotiations were followed by a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, which ended with the US bombing the former’s nuclear facilities. While Washington has insisted the strikes inflicted heavy damage on its nuclear program, Tehran has claimed the attack had only a limited impact on its uranium enrichment capacity.