Iran would consider negotiations with the US if the aim of the talks was to address concerns regarding any potential militarization of its nuclear program, Iran's UN mission said on Sunday.
At the same time, Iran rejected any attempts aimed to dismantle its “peaceful” nuclear program.
In a post on X the mission said: “If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration.”
“However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program ... such negotiations will never take place,” the post added.
Also on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country’s principled policy is centered on de-escalation and fostering unity, adding that Iran has never sought to acquire nuclear weapons, citing the decree issued by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In a phone conversation with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the President said Iran considers tensions, unrest, and conflicts as harmful to itself, the region and the world.
This is the first public contact between an Iranian president and a Western official since US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear file and had sent a letter to the Iranian leadership on Thursday.
“Iran has always advocated for peace, stability, and security in the region, striving to prevent war and confrontation whenever possible,” Pezeshkian said.
He then rejected western attempts to portray Iran’s “peaceful nuclear activities” as a source of insecurity, noting that the regime is the root cause of tension and crisis through its initiation of war and genocide against the oppressed Palestinian people.
The Iranian presidential website then quoted Store as calling for the continuation of discussions and meetings between officials of both countries. He also underscored Norway's commitment to a peaceful resolution of regional issues and expressed readiness to assist in this process.