Iran signals nuclear deal possible if agreement is 'fair and balanced'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has signaled Tehran's conditional readiness to reach a nuclear agreement, stating that a deal is achievable provided it rests on principles of fairness and equilibrium. In a social media post marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's preference for diplomacy while issuing a stark warning that national sovereignty is not negotiable.

Revolution anniversary and national resilience

Araghchi reported that millions of Iranians filled the streets to commemorate what experts have termed "the last great revolution of the 20th century." Reflecting on the past year, he noted that Iran endured unprecedented attacks from two nuclear-armed regimes followed by a major terrorist operation. "Yet the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood strong," he asserted, attributing the nation's resilience to trust in its own people rather than reliance on foreign powers.

Diplomatic openness with red lines

"I sincerely hope the coming year will be one of peace and tranquility, where dialogue prevails over war," Araghchi stated. While emphasizing that diplomacy remains Tehran's preferred path, he made clear that any agreement concerning Iran's civilian nuclear activities must be "fair and balanced." The foreign minister stressed that Iran will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty regardless of cost, declaring: "Our rights and dignity are not for sale—as millions of Iranians have once again demonstrated."

Context of renewed negotiations

The statement comes as Iran and the United States prepare for further rounds of indirect talks following a resumption of negotiations in Oman after an eight-month suspension. Tehran has consistently insisted that any renewed agreement must provide tangible economic benefits through sanctions relief, while refusing to expand negotiations to include its missile program or regional influence—issues Washington seeks to address. Araghchi's remarks appear calibrated to signal openness while firmly anchoring expectations ahead of the next diplomatic engagement.