Islamic Republic's Readiness for Nuclear Negotiations and Lifting Sanctions

On Friday, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic stated in an interview with Chinese television that the Islamic Republic is ready to enter into 'constructive negotiations' regarding its nuclear program 'without delay.' Abbas Araghchi, however, outlined conditions for these negotiations, adding: 'Our condition is the same as the JCPOA; building trust regarding the nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. We are ready to negotiate on this basis.' He also claimed that 'the Islamic Republic implemented the JCPOA in good faith,' stating that 'the United States exited this agreement without any reason or justification, which was a major strategic mistake and met with Tehran's reaction.' The Foreign Minister further emphasized that the Iranian government would wait to make new decisions after the policies of the new U.S. government under President Donald Trump become clear. The transition team of Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, stated on Friday that all options for addressing Iran's nuclear program, including maximum pressure, are on the table. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Trump's transition team is considering various options to prevent Iran from accessing nuclear weapons, including the option of a 'preventive airstrike.' Britain, France, and Germany are set to begin a new round of negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program on January 13 in Geneva. The United Nations Security Council, during its review of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and the Secretary-General's report on Resolution 2231 and the extent of Tehran's compliance with that resolution, once again criticized Tehran's nuclear actions. Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, stated that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is about 32 times more than the permitted limit, emphasizing that this increase in enriched uranium reserves to 20 and 60 percent continues to raise serious concerns. The International Atomic Energy Agency also reported that the Islamic Republic has significantly accelerated the enrichment of uranium to 60 percent; a level that is close to the 90 percent needed for nuclear weapon production. Western countries emphasize that enrichment at this level has no civilian justification and that the Islamic Republic is the only country that has engaged in this level of enrichment without producing a nuclear bomb. In contrast, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear program is purely peaceful. On Tuesday, December 27, 1403, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the recent actions of the Islamic Republic regarding its nuclear program, urging Tehran to stop its nuclear escalation.