Turkey Signals Progress as US and Iran Edge Closer to Nuclear Understanding

The United States and Iran are demonstrating increased flexibility in efforts to revive a nuclear agreement, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. In an interview published Thursday by the Financial Times, Fidan said Washington appears open to allowing Iran limited uranium enrichment within clearly defined limits.

“It’s encouraging that the Americans seem prepared to accept Iranian enrichment under specific boundaries,” Fidan said, noting his involvement in discussions with both sides. He added that Tehran now understands the need to secure an agreement with Washington, while the US recognizes there are limits it cannot push Iran beyond.

Until recently, the US has insisted that Iran give up its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity — close to the 90 percent threshold required for weapons-grade material.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained that Tehran will continue to demand the removal of economic sanctions and defend its right to pursue nuclear enrichment.

Fidan expressed confidence that Iran genuinely wants a meaningful agreement and could accept caps on enrichment levels along with a strict international inspection framework, similar to the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Diplomats from the US and Iran met last week in Oman through Omani mediation in an attempt to restart negotiations. The talks come amid heightened tensions after President Donald Trump deployed a naval flotilla to the region, fueling concerns about potential military escalation.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was weighing the option of sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, even as preparations were underway for another round of negotiations.

Fidan cautioned, however, that expanding discussions to include Iran’s ballistic missile program would likely lead to further conflict rather than resolution.

The US State Department and the White House did not immediately comment outside regular working hours.