Iran has reacted to a media report, which quoted its deputy foreign minister on how it is “ready to abandon" its nuclear programme only if the United States provides a “satisfactory alternative".
According to the state-runIRNA, this statement by deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi is related to “earlier talks with the US" on their nuclear deal.
The clarification comes amid the raging West Asia conflict, which entered its sixth day. Takht-Ravanchi’s comments on the nuclear programme which were reported bySky News Arabia.
“Iran is ready to abandon its nuclear programme on condition that the United States presents a satisfactory alternative offer," Takht-Ravanchi was quoted.
نائب وزير الخارجية الإيراني: إيران مستعدة للتخلي عن برنامجها النووي بشرط تقديم الولايات المتحدة عرضاً بديلًا مجزيًا— سكاي نيوز عربية-عاجل (@SkyNewsArabia_B)March 5, 2026
Later,IRNAclarified that these comments were related to earlier talks with the US, which launched ‘Operation Epic Fury’ with Israel after backchannel talks via mediator Oman over a nuclear deal with Iran failed. The joint attack also killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.
Tehran has said it entered negotiations with Washington DC despite doubts about American intentions, but was attacked before the set timeline.
The US, meanwhile, has said the ultimate goal of the current military engagement with Iran is a regional transition that ensures the West Asia region no longer poses a global security risk. It has said the Trump administration’s current stance was not an initial preference but a result of failed diplomatic overtures on Iran’s nuclear programme. It has also warned that if the Iranian regime achieves its weapons goals, it would be a global threat.
On February 17, at least 10 days before Israel and the US attacked Iran, President Donald Trump had warned Tehran of potential consequences should it fail to strike a deal during their talks in Geneva.
Mediated by Oman, the discussions were aimed at averting the possibility of US military action, with Tehran expressing cautious optimism at Washington’s “more realistic" position on its nuclear programme. By then, however, Trump had repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily, starting with the deadly crackdown on protesters in January and then, more recently, over its nuclear programme.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
