Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan said both Washington and Tehran are showing signs of flexibility in nuclear negotiations, according to an interview with the Financial Times published Thursday.
Fidan, who has engaged with both sides, noted that the United States appears willing to tolerate limited Iranian enrichment within defined boundaries. He added that Iran recognises the need for an agreement and the US understands Tehran’s limits, stressing that attempts to force either side would be futile.
The US has previously demanded Iran relinquish uranium enriched up to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has insisted on lifting financial sanctions and maintaining Iran’s right to enrichment.
Fidan said he believes Tehran genuinely wants a deal and would accept restrictions and strict inspections similar to those in the 2015 nuclear agreement. He cautioned, however, that expanding talks to include ballistic missiles would risk escalating into war.
US and Iranian diplomats recently met in Oman through Omani mediation, aiming to revive diplomacy. The talks came amid heightened tensions after President Donald Trump deployed a naval flotilla to the region and suggested sending a second aircraft carrier.
The US State Department and the White House did not comment on the matter outside regular business hours.
