Yesterday, Supreme Leader Khamenei backs an agreement on condition that "the existing infrastructure of [Iran’s] nuclear industry should not be touched". Washington has denied any progress in negotiations. Iran is reportedly close to the 90 per cent threshold in uranium enrichment, deemed a red line for Israel.
Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Iran has confirmed indirect talks with the United States via Oman over its nuclear programme, but reiterated that it is not interested in an interim agreement.
This comes a day after the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed support for an agreement on the country's nuclear programme with the West, provided that “the existing infrastructure of [Iran’s] nuclear industry should not be touched."
At a press conference today, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani thanked Oman for its efforts, Tasnim news agency reported.
The latter noted that Iran’s nuclear programme is but one of the issues mentioned, adding that any agreement needed to meet the supreme leader’s standards and include sanctions relief.
The spokesperson also said that a prisoner swap could be agreed "in the near future," if Washington shows "the same seriousness" as Tehran.
At least three dual nationals (Iranian and US) are held in Iran, including businessman Siamak Namazi, who was arrested in October 2015 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for espionage.
On Friday, news website Axios reported on ongoing US-Iranian contacts through Oman, noting that US officials made it clear to Iran that a stern response would be forthcoming if Tehran reached 90 per cent uranium enrichment levels required for nuclear weapons.
According to the most recent estimate by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has 114.1 kilograms (251 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity, which Iran cannot use for civilian purposes, according to non-proliferation experts.
For its part, the White House had denied reports that Washington and Tehran are making progress on a new nuclear deal.
Israel has lobbied hard against the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, which the United States scrapped in 2018.
Subsequent efforts by Europe and US President Joe Biden's administration to revive the deal and bring Washington back into the pact were also met with protests from the Israeli government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened action if Tehran crosses the red line of 90 per cent uranium enrichment.
Flickr: Photo / Babak Fakhamzadeh