Tehran has reiterated its willingness to engage in substantive negotiations with Washington regarding its nuclear program. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, emphasized that the outcome of these discussions should not be predetermined by the United States.
In a statement, Larijani affirmed Iran’s position, stating, “We agree to serious, not artificial, negotiations, and the results of any negotiations should not be predetermined.” He criticized attempts by the United States to portray itself as a central mechanism in any international process as self-deception.
This announcement follows previous assertions by Iranian officials regarding their openness to negotiations. Earlier, in November 2025, it was indicated that negotiations with European nations – France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – as well as the United States, had stalled the prior September due to a precondition related to reducing the range of Iranian missiles to below 500 kilometers.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has also conveyed Iran’s readiness to reach a balanced agreement with Washington on its nuclear program, provided that it takes into account the interests of both parties. This stance emerges amid ongoing international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors recently approved a resolution calling on Iran to fully cooperate and provide inspectors with accurate information regarding its enriched uranium stockpile, which is nearing weapons-grade levels. The resolution also urged Iran to grant access to its nuclear sites.
The complexities surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain a focal point of international diplomacy. The United States and Iran previously held five rounds of nuclear talks facilitated by Oman in 2025, without reaching a conclusive agreement. A sixth round was anticipated before a surprise Israeli attack on Iranian territory, reportedly involving U.S. airstrikes on key nuclear facilities within Iran, further complicating the situation. The path forward remains uncertain.
