Iran-US Nuclear Deal Talks Continue Amidst Tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the US must require Iran to relinquish all of its enriched uranium and be barred from enriching more as part of any nuclear deal with Tehran. This comes as Iranian and US officials prepare for a second round of talks in Switzerland. Iran has expressed willingness to compromise on its nuclear program if the US is willing to discuss lifting sanctions, but regards 'zero enrichment' as a red line. The US has been pushing for a deal while also building up its military presence in the Middle East.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has told the BBC that Iran is ready to consider compromises to reach a nuclear deal with the US, provided the Americans are willing to discuss lifting sanctions. The US and Iran have been holding indirect talks in Oman and are set to meet again in Geneva. Takht-Ravanchi emphasized that the ball is in America's court to prove their sincerity in reaching a deal. He pointed to Iran's offer to dilute its 60%-enriched uranium as evidence of its willingness to compromise. The US has emphasized that Iran is holding up progress in the negotiations, while Iran views Washington's maximalist demands, including zero enrichment, as an obstacle. The talks have been complicated by issues such as Iran's ballistic missile programme and its treatment of citizens. Takht-Ravanchi criticized the US president's messages to protesters as 'an incitement to violence' and expressed concern about the American president's conflicting messages on negotiations.

President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would support Israeli strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program if a deal between Washington and Tehran could not be reached. Internal discussions within the US military and intelligence community have begun to contemplate supporting a fresh round of Israeli strikes on Iran. The US has also dispatched a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, joining an already substantial American presence. The Trump administration is pursuing negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remaining openly skeptical of diplomacy with Iran. The US and Iran are expected to hold a second round of nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has stated that Iran is open to compromise on a nuclear deal with the U.S. if the administration is willing to discuss lifting sanctions. The comments come ahead of a second round of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. in Geneva, mediated by Oman. Takht-Ravanchi emphasized that the ball is in America's court to prove their sincerity in reaching a deal. The U.S. has reinforced its military presence in the region amid heightened tensions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that reaching an agreement with Iran will be challenging.