US efforts to revive negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme are showing signs of flexibility from both sides, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has told the Financial Times. According to Fidan, Washington appears willing to tolerate limited Iranian uranium enrichment under clearly defined boundaries, a major departure from earlier positions.
“It is positive that the Americans appear willing to tolerate Iranian enrichment within clearly set boundaries,” Fidan said in the interview. He has been involved in diplomatic efforts involving both Washington and Tehran.
Fidan suggested that both sides are approaching negotiations with a renewed understanding of each other’s objectives. “The Iranians now recognise that they need to reach a deal with the Americans, and the Americans understand that the Iranians have certain limits,” he said. “It’s pointless to try to force them.”
Enrichment and Nuclear Limits
Until now, the United States has insisted that Iran relinquish its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity — a level close to weapons-grade threshold of 90 percent fissile purity. Such enriched uranium has triggered suspicions among Western powers about Tehran’s ultimate nuclear intentions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated that Tehran will continue to demand the lifting of financial sanctions and uphold its nuclear rights, including enrichment. Fidan said he believed Iran “genuinely wants to reach a real agreement,” adding that Tehran would accept restrictions on enrichment levels and a robust inspection regime, similar to terms in the 2015 nuclear deal.
Recent Talks and Regional Pressure
US and Iranian diplomats met last week through Omani mediators in Muscat in an attempt to restart formal diplomacy. The renewed talks come at a time when tensions are high in the Gulf region, with US President Donald Trump deploying a naval flotilla and considering the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to pressure Tehran.
Despite progress in nuclear negotiation flexibility, Fidan warned that expanding the agenda to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme could lead to further conflict, saying it might bring “nothing but another war.”
The US State Department and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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