Iran15 February, 20263 min read
Iran Rejects Zero Enrichment, Says It Will Consider Compromise If U.S. Agrees to Discuss Lifting Sanctions
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Iran rejects zero uranium enrichment demand Iran will consider nuclear compromises if U.S. agrees to discuss lifting sanctions
7 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Iran Reviews US Negotiation Proposals As Pakistan And Qatar Mediate Strait Of Hormuz Dispute →
Iran nuclear stance
Iran’s deputy foreign minister publicly rejected demands for “zero enrichment.” Haaretz quotes the deputy foreign minister saying zero uranium enrichment “is not on the table.” Iran Focus states that “zero enrichment is no longer on the negotiating table from Iran’s perspective.”
“Iran open to measures on its enriched-uranium stockpile but will not accept zero enrichment (Deputy FM Majid Takht-Ravanchi).”
ایران اینترنشنال reports that Iran “will not accept zero enrichment” while remaining open to measures on its stockpile. Vocal.media and NDTV record Iran linking any compromise to U.S. willingness to discuss sanctions relief and verification arrangements. These sources consistently frame any willingness to consider measures on enriched-uranium stockpiles as contingent on serious U.S. negotiations over sanctions relief and verification.
Tehran-Washington brokered talks
Reports place these statements in the context of indirect, brokered talks between Tehran and Washington. Multiple outlets say the first post‑war round took place in Muscat and a second round was expected in Geneva. Iran Focus notes the first round "took place Feb 8 in Muscat" and that Iran "will participate 'with hope' in the next talks scheduled for Feb 16 in Geneva."
Haaretz says a second round of Tehran‑Washington talks is planned in the coming days. ایران اینترنشنال recounts the Muscat meetings were brokered by Turkey, Qatar and Oman.
NDTV reports that Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi met U.S. envoys (Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner) in Oman and that Switzerland was expected to host the Geneva round. Vocal.media likewise references Geneva after an Oman round.
Iran nuclear concessions reporting
Reporting differs on the scope of concessions Iran might accept. Iran Focus and ایران اینترنشنال report that Tehran may be willing to discuss limits on its stockpile or technical adjustments. Iran Focus says officials would not yet comment on handing over "more than 400 kg of highly enriched uranium" while ایران اینترنشنال notes Iran "might accept restrictions similar to the 2015 nuclear deal (3.67% cap and stockpile limits)."
“Iran might accept restrictions similar to the 2015 nuclear deal (3.67% cap and stockpile limits).”
At the same time, Iran Focus records denials of reported Reuters suggestions that Tehran had agreed to remove enriched stockpiles. Haaretz and NDTV reiterate Iran's public rejection of a zero‑enrichment demand while pointing to Iran's insistence on sanctions relief and verification mechanisms.
Warnings on Iran talks
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran’s nuclear program has "fundamentally changed" after a recent 12-day war and warned the situation is not sustainable long-term. Iranian outlet ایران اینترنشنال and Haaretz recorded Turkey’s FM Hakan Fidan warning that widening talks to include missiles and regional activities could derail negotiations and risk another war. NDTV emphasized deep distrust after last year’s collapse of negotiations, noting Tehran said meetings sometimes lacked technical experts and warning that a U.S. military buildup could be "traumatic."
Vocal.media also underscored Iran’s insistence that talks should not be linked to missiles or regional issues. These security framings underline why Iranian officials publicly reject zero enrichment while remaining open to limited, verifiable measures tied to sanctions relief.
Cautious, divided Iran talks
Coverage of the talks is cautious and divided. Iran Focus records Deputy FM Saeed Takht‑Ravanchi saying Iran cannot be '100 percent certain' diplomacy will resolve differences yet will participate 'with hope' in the next round. NDTV quotes Iranian officials and domestic political figures stressing verification readiness while warning that 'the ball is in America’s court.'
“Iran also says US sanctions must be part of negotiations, with Deputy FM Majid Takht‑Ravanchi saying 'the ball is in America’s court.'”
ایران اینترنشنال calls the Muscat talks a 'constructive first step' but says major issues remain unresolved. Haaretz frames the stance as conditional willingness to negotiate if sanctions are on the table.
Across the coverage the consistent conclusion is uncertainty. Tehran rejects zero enrichment publicly, may discuss stockpile measures tied to verifiable safeguards and sanctions relief, and both sides face mutual mistrust that could derail progress.