Iran Proposes Broader Framework in Nuclear Talks, Former Diplomat Says

Iran has presented initiatives extending beyond the nuclear issue during recent negotiations in Muscat and Geneva and signaled readiness to reduce uranium enrichment levels as part of a potential agreement, a former Iranian diplomat said.

Seyed Hadi Aghfaghi said Tehran entered the negotiations with a firm position while offering proposals aimed at building confidence with the United States and other parties.

He said Iran expressed willingness to demonstrate goodwill by allowing potential U.S. investments in strategic sectors including oil, gas and precious metals if Washington shows serious commitment to a deal.

Among the proposals discussed is the creation of a multinational consortium to conduct uranium enrichment activities inside Iran under Iranian supervision rather than outside the country, he added.

Aghfaghi said Tehran also indicated readiness to lower uranium enrichment levels from 60 percent to 20 percent as part of a negotiated settlement.

He noted that Iran is pursuing what he described as a new approach toward cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including recent meetings between Iranian officials and the agency’s director general aimed at addressing concerns about transparency.

Oman’s Foreign Ministry said both parties to the Geneva negotiations welcomed the proposals presented, while a diplomatic source said Iran had put forward ideas that could form a basis for moving toward an agreement.