Iranian Official Says Islamic Republic Open To Giving Up Nuclear Weapons Program For Trump Deal

A top Iranian official said Wednesday that Tehran was open to foregoing enriching weapons-grade uranium in a new nuclear deal with the U.S., according to NBC News.

Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, told NBC News that Iran would commit to never developing nuclear weapons, destroy its stockpile of weapons-grade uranium and allow international oversight to ensure it is only pursuing civilian nuclear applications in exchange for the U.S. lifting all economic sanctions. The statement marks one of the most overt signals from Iran signaling willingness to strike a new nuclear deal with the U.S. as sanctions continue to pile on.

The Iranian regime currently has the capability to make nuclear weapons in three weeks’ time with its current stockpiles of 60% enriched uranium, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated in February.

“It’s still possible. If the Americans act as they say, for sure we can have better relations,” Shamkhani said according to NBC News. “It can lead to a better situation in the near future.”

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Iranian officials in Oman on Sunday on the tail-end of President Donald Trump’s tour around the Middle East this week.