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Iran ready to discuss compromises to reach nuclear deal, minister tells BBC in Tehran

February 15, 2026

Iran's deputy foreign minister has indicated Tehran's willingness to compromise on its nuclear program, including possibly diluting its 60%-enriched uranium stockpile, if the United States agrees to discuss sanctions relief. While both sides have described recent indirect talks in Oman as positive, with a second round scheduled in Geneva, significant disagreements remain over the scope of negotiations. Iran insists discussions focus solely on nuclear issues and refuses to address its ballistic missile program or regional activities, while the US has previously demanded broader concessions including zero enrichment.

Who is affected

  • Iran (government and population facing sanctions and military threats)
  • The United States (government engaged in negotiations)
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump
  • Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi
  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
  • Over 40,000 US soldiers deployed in the region
  • Regional powers including Oman, Qatar, Israel, and countries hosting US military bases
  • Victims of Iran's crackdown on anti-government protests (thousands killed according to human rights groups)
  • Oman's foreign minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi (serving as mediator)
  • Jared Kushner (involved in recent talks)

What action is being taken

  • The US and Iran are holding indirect talks (first round occurred in Oman in February, second round is set for Geneva on Tuesday)
  • The US is building up its military presence in the region (more than 40,000 US soldiers are now posted)
  • Oman's foreign minister is passing messages between the parties as the main Arab mediator
  • Senior Iranian officials are engaged in intensive discussions with regional counterparts
  • Regional powers are communicating with President Trump about avoiding war

Why it matters

  • This negotiation represents a critical juncture for preventing military conflict in the Middle East and potentially resolving the long-standing dispute over Iran's nuclear program. The outcome will determine whether Iran continues advancing toward weapons-grade uranium enrichment capabilities, which has raised international concerns about nuclear weapons development. A failure to reach agreement could trigger US military strikes against Iran, potentially igniting a regional war that would destabilize the entire Middle East, threaten US military bases, and affect global security. Additionally, any deal could impact the effectiveness of economic sanctions that have significantly affected Iran's economy and population, while success could establish a diplomatic framework for addressing one of the world's most volatile geopolitical flashpoints.

What's next

  • A second round of indirect talks between the US and Iran is set to take place in Geneva on Tuesday
  • Iran will continue requiring the US to prove its sincerity in negotiations
  • Discussions will focus on whether the US agrees to talk about sanctions relief in exchange for Iran's nuclear compromises
  • Negotiations will address Iran's offer to dilute its 60%-enriched uranium stockpile
  • The possibility of shipping Iran's 400kg+ stockpile of highly enriched uranium out of the country (potentially to Russia) will be discussed during negotiations

Read full article from source: BBC