Iran has signaled a willingness to engage in negotiations with the United States if the focus is on addressing concerns about the potential militarization of its nuclear program, Iran’s UN mission announced on Sunday. However, the Islamic Republic firmly rejected any efforts aimed at dismantling what it describes as a “peaceful” nuclear program.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Iran’s UN mission clarified its position:
“If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration.”
The statement, however, made it clear that any talks aimed at shutting down Iran’s nuclear activities were off the table.
“Should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program … such negotiations will never take place,” it added.
This development comes as tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to dominate international diplomatic discussions. Iran has long insisted that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian and energy purposes, but Western powers, particularly the United States and Israel, have expressed concerns that Tehran could be covertly developing nuclear weapons.
On the same day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran’s nuclear policy is built on the principles of de-escalation and fostering unity. Speaking in a phone conversation with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons, citing a religious decree (fatwa) issued by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei banning their development.
“Iran considers tensions, unrest, and conflicts as harmful to itself, the region, and the world,” Pezeshkian told the Norwegian leader.
This marks the first public contact between an Iranian president and a Western official since former US President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he had sought to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear file and had sent a letter to the Iranian leadership the day before.
The US and Iran have had a complicated relationship for decades, marked by moments of intense hostility and brief periods of cautious diplomacy. The most recent major diplomatic effort came in 2015 with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal—which limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
However, the deal was derailed when Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, reinstating heavy economic sanctions on Iran. This move led to Iran gradually scaling back its compliance with the agreement, enriching uranium beyond the limits set by the deal.
Despite President Joe Biden’s initial attempts to revive the JCPOA, negotiations stalled, and tensions between Washington and Tehran have remained high.
Trump’s latest remarks about reaching out to Iran have reignited speculation over whether a new round of diplomacy could be on the horizon.
Pezeshkian’s phone call with Norway’s Prime Minister could signal an attempt by Iran to recalibrate its diplomatic strategy amid renewed discussions about its nuclear program.
In his conversation with Støre, the Iranian president reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to regional peace and stability.
“Iran has always advocated for peace, stability, and security in the region, striving to prevent war and confrontation whenever possible,” Pezeshkian said.
However, he was also quick to condemn Western powers, accusing them of misrepresenting Iran’s nuclear activities as a security threat.
“Western attempts to portray Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities as a source of insecurity are baseless,” Pezeshkian added, pointing the finger at Israel for regional instability, particularly in relation to the Palestinian conflict.
The Iranian presidential website later quoted Prime Minister Støre as expressing a willingness to continue diplomatic discussions and underscoring Norway’s commitment to peaceful solutions to regional disputes. Støre also indicated that Norway was prepared to assist in de-escalation efforts.
Iran’s conditional openness to talks with the US has drawn mixed reactions.
The United States has not officially responded to Iran’s latest statement, but Washington has long maintained that it will continue to push for diplomatic and economic pressure to curb Tehran’s nuclear advancements.
Israel, which considers Iran’s nuclear ambitions an existential threat, is likely to strongly oppose any negotiations that do not involve Iran completely abandoning uranium enrichment.
The European Union, which has historically played a mediating role, may push for a revival of negotiations, especially amid growing concerns about regional security.
At the same time, Iran’s firm stance against dismantling its nuclear program poses a significant challenge to any potential diplomatic breakthrough. If talks do resume, they are likely to be centered around increasing transparency and implementing safeguards rather than forcing Iran to give up its nuclear infrastructure altogether.
Iran’s latest statement suggests a willingness to negotiate but on its own terms—allowing discussions on military concerns while refusing to dismantle its nuclear program. With ongoing regional tensions, the role of diplomatic intermediaries such as Norway may become crucial in shaping future talks. However, whether Washington and Tehran can bridge their deep-rooted differences remains an open question.
