Iran signals nuclear deal 'within reach' if US focuses on non-development of weapons

2026-02-26 - 11:52

A senior Iranian official signaled Thursday that an agreement with the United States could be imminent if the core focus of ongoing indirect negotiations remains the "non-development of nuclear weapons." Ali Shamkhani, adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and head of the newly established Defense Council, stated on social media that this principle is "fully consistent" with Khamenei's fatwa prohibiting weapons of mass destruction, and that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading the Geneva delegation has "sufficient support and authority for such an agreement." Geneva Talks Underway The third round of Omani-mediated indirect negotiations commenced Thursday at 10 a.m. local time at an Omani Embassy facility in Geneva, with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi participating as a technical observer. Araghchi met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi upon arrival Wednesday to discuss the talks' framework and a draft proposal from Tehran. President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Thursday that claims Tehran seeks nuclear weapons are "lies," citing Khamenei's religious edict and insisting Iran will not develop such arms. Contrasting US Statements US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff claimed in a recent interview that Iran is "weeks away" from building a nuclear weapon, while President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of targeting Iran's program, asserting Tehran has not explicitly renounced nuclear weapons ambitions. These statements contrast with Iran's position as negotiations proceed against a backdrop of significant US military buildup in the Persian Gulf, including two carrier strike groups, and recent IRGC drills.