Tehran, Iran – Reuters quoted a regional diplomats as saying that Iran has explicitly ruled out a complete halt to uranium enrichment. However, it expressed its willingness to engage in discussions regarding the “level and purity” of enrichment, or to explore the proposal to form a regional nuclear enrichment consortium. This came within the framework of talks aimed at reducing tensions with the United States and Western countries.
According to the diplomat, the Iranian proposal was made during recent indirect contacts and discussions. This is part of diplomats efforts to explore opportunities for reaching partial understandings on the nuclear issue. This comes given the stalled efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement. He emphasized that Tehran considers halting enrichment a “red line” that cannot be crossed. It also views it as a sovereign right guaranteed under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This is as long as its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Regional Fertilisation Union
In contrast, the source indicated that Iran has shown relative flexibility regarding discussions on the limits of enrichment levels and uranium purity. This is considered part of confidence-building measures. However, any understanding must be accompanied by a tangible easing of the economic sanctions imposed on it. There must also be guarantees that the United States will not renege on its commitments in the future.
The diplomats explained that one of the proposals under consideration is the establishment of a regional enrichment consortium. Several countries in the region would participate, under international supervision. This would allow Iran to maintain its nuclear activities within a collective framework. Thus, it would mitigate Western concerns about the potential military dimensions of the program.
Sensitive technical levels
These developments come at a time of increasing international pressure on Tehran, amid Western reports indicating that Iran’s nuclear program is advancing and nearing critical technological levels. Iran, for its part, repeatedly denies seeking nuclear weapons. It maintains that its program is aimed at producing energy and serving medical and industrial needs.
Observers believe that Tehran’s willingness to discuss the details of enrichment, without agreeing to halt it, reflects an attempt to strike a balance between preserving its strategic principles and opening a window for negotiations. This could help avert further political and economic escalation in the coming period.
