Iran Outlines Conditions Wanted From U.S. To Forgo Uranium Enrichment And Reach Nuclear Deal

A top Iranian official said the country would be willing to forgo nuclear weapons and dispose of enriched uranium that could be used for such purposes if the United States lifts all economic sanctions on the country.

Speaking to NBC, Ali Shamkani, a top aide of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the country would sign such an agreement if conditions are met. He added that Teheran would also agree to enrich uranium to lower levels needed for civilian use and allow international inspectors to supervise the process.

"It's still possible. If the Americans act as they say, for sure we can have better relations," Shamkani told the outlet.

President Donald Trump said he wants to reach a deal with Iran but threatened to country with further sanctions if it doesn't accept the proposal. "This is not an offer that will last forever. The time is right now for them to choose."

Shamkani criticized the remarks, saying "he thinks he can come here, chant slogans, and scare us." "For us, martyrdom is far sweeter than dying in bed," he added, saying that Trump has not presented olive branches but "barbed wire" so far.

Axios reported on Thursday that the Trump administration has already given Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal, the first time a written proposal is presented. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took the proposal for consultations with Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as other top officials.

Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff described the U.S. proposals as "very big" but said more progress is needed in the negotiations. Iranian diplomats are expected to meet with counterparts from France, the U.K. and Germany in Istanbul on Friday, their first such meeting in two months. The European countries will trigger snapback sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal if there is no new agreement by August.