'Not a new offer': IRNA clarifies deputy FM’s comment 'to abandon nuclear' programme referred to earlier US talks

“Old talks, not a new offer”: IRNA clarifies deputy FM remarks after Sky News report

Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA on Wednesday issued a clarification regarding reports that Tehran had offered to abandon its nuclear programme in negotiations with the United States, saying the comments cited in those reports referred to earlier diplomatic discussions and not to the current situation.

The clarification followed media reports suggesting that Iran had made a conditional offer to Washington, stating it was prepared to abandon its nuclear programme if the United States proposed a satisfactory alternative arrangement.

IRNA said the remarks attributed to Iran’s deputy foreign minister were taken out of context and related to earlier negotiations held between Tehran and Washington. The agency said the statement should not be interpreted as a new proposal from Iran.

According to IRNA, the comments were made in reference to previous diplomatic discussions and were linked to past negotiations rather than any fresh initiative from Tehran amid the ongoing tensions.

Deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi had said Iran would consider abandoning its nuclear programme only if the United States presented what he described as a “satisfactory alternative offer.”

“Iran is ready to abandon its nuclear programme on condition that the United States presents a satisfactory alternative offer,” Takht-Ravanchi was quoted as saying by Sky News Arabia.

Escalation after failed diplomacy

The clarification comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran have sharply escalated following recent military developments.

The United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, an offensive that also resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to statements from US officials.

The military action followed the collapse of backchannel negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme that were being conducted through Oman, which had been acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington.

Iran has said it entered the negotiations with the United States despite doubts about American intentions but was attacked before the timeline for those talks had concluded.

Washington’s stated objective

US officials have said the objective of the current military engagement with Iran is to bring about a regional transition that ensures the West Asia region no longer poses a global security risk.

The United States has said the stance adopted by the Trump administration was not its initial preference but the outcome of failed diplomatic efforts related to Iran’s nuclear programme.

Washington has also warned that if Iran succeeds in achieving its weapons objectives, it would represent a threat to global security.