Iran is prepared to make concessions related to its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions, according to a top Iranian official. Ali Shamkhani, a key advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, spoke to NBC News and elaborated on Tehran’s willingness to commit to not developing nuclear weapons, abandon its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium that could be weaponized, limit uranium enrichment to levels suitable for civilian use, and allow international supervision of these processes. In return, they are seeking immediate lifting of all economic sanctions on the country.
Shamkhani indicated that Iran would sign an agreement today if these conditions were met and expressed hope for improved relations with the US if they act as they promise. However, he voiced frustration over President Trump’s threats and warned of possible interference from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ali Shamkhani pictured in 2023.
US President Donald Trump, on his Middle East tour, urged Qatar to influence Iran to abandon its nuclear program. During a state dinner, he asked Qatar to help in persuading Iran’s leadership to make a deal with the US and decrease its nuclear activities.
Donald Trump listens to Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at a state dinner.
Over the years, Qatar has played a mediator role between the US and Iran, including mediating talks with Hamas during the ongoing conflict with Israel. Despite Trump stating his desire for a deal during a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he insisted that Iran must cease its support for proxy groups across the Middle East. The US and Iran reached a nuclear deal in 2015 under Barack Obama, but Trump later scrapped it, leading to Iran’s current enrichment of uranium up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels.
