Iran signals openness to direct nuclear talks with U.S.

Iran could hold direct nuclear negotiations with the United States under the right circumstances, First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref said Tuesday, according to state media.

Mohammadreza Aref also criticized U.S. demands for Tehran to abandon uranium enrichment entirely, calling them 'a joke.'

"Iran is ready for negotiations under equal conditions in order to safeguard its interests ... The Islamic Republic's stance is in the direction that people want and, should there be suitable conditions, we are even ready for direct talks," Aref said.

Talks between Tehran and Washington, which began in April as indirect negotiations mediated by Oman, were suspended after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.

Washington maintains that Iran’s uranium enrichment poses a pathway to nuclear weapons and should be halted an accusation Tehran strongly denies.

Aref emphasized that Iran’s stance aligns with the will of its people and that negotiations must be conducted on equal terms.

His remarks follow comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, who called for resuming talks with the U.S. despite current distrust, arguing that diplomacy does not equate to surrender.

However, Aziz Ghazanfari, a senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, warned on Monday that foreign policy requires caution, and that careless statements by officials could have serious consequences.

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