Iran open to talks with U.S. on nuclear concerns, U.N. mission says

Iran would consider negotiations with the United States if discussions focus on concerns regarding potential militarization of its nuclear program, Iran’s U.N. mission stated on Sunday in a post on X.

The statement follows remarks from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who on Saturday rejected negotiations under U.S. "bullying." The U.N. mission clarified that talks addressing concerns about militarization "may be subject to consideration," but any negotiations aimed at dismantling Iran’s peaceful nuclear program "will never take place."

Khamenei criticized U.S. demands, stating that Iran would not accept conditions related to its defense capabilities, missile range, and international influence.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox Business Network on Friday that he seeks a nuclear deal with Iran and has sent a letter to its leadership proposing talks. While expressing willingness for an agreement, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" campaign to isolate Iran economically and curb its oil exports.

During his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal that had imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the withdrawal in 2018, Iran exceeded those limits.

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi has warned that time is running out to impose new diplomatic restrictions, as Iran accelerates uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade levels. Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

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