Istanbul: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that both the United States and Iran seem inclined to make concessions to reach a nuclear agreement.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Fidan, in a conversation with Financial Times, highlighted that Washington has shown a readiness to be flexible on its demand for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment.
Fidan noted that Tehran seems genuinely interested in striking a real agreement and would be willing to accept restrictions on enrichment levels and implement a stringent inspections regime, similar to the 2015 agreement with the U.S. and other global powers. He remarked positively on the U.S. willingness to tolerate Iranian enrichment within clearly defined limits.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also emphasized the importance of not addressing all issues simultaneously, referencing Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and regional militant support. He warned that insisting on tackling these issues alongside the nuclear file could hinder progress, potentially leading to another conflict in the region.
Negotiations between Iran and the U.S. resumed in Oman after an eight-month hiatus, marking a positive step forward. Although initially planned for Istanbul, Iran insisted the talks focus exclusively on the nuclear program, prompting the move to Oman.
Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his commitment to continuing negotiations with Iran. Trump emphasized that if a deal could not be reached, alternative outcomes would be considered, referencing past actions against Iran.
Fidan mentioned that Ankara and other regional governments are working on creative solutions to address Iran’s missile program and support for militants, suggesting they could play a constructive role. He also voiced concern over Netanyahu’s potential influence on Trump’s stance.
Fidan urged for inclusive negotiations involving regional states, stressing the importance of balancing any U.S.-Iran agreement with steps to build confidence among regional partners. He noted the significant trust gap with regional countries and highlighted the necessity of addressing this issue.
Amid recent regional tensions, including unrest in Iran and military posturing by the U.S., Fidan emphasized the importance of resolving economic challenges driving public discontent in Iran. He cautioned against assumptions of regime collapse following potential U.S. strikes, suggesting that while government structures might be damaged, the regime would likely remain functional.