TEHRAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's nuclear chief said Monday that Tehran could consider diluting its 60 percent enriched uranium, but only if all international sanctions are fully lifted, according to the state news agency IRNA.
Mohammad Eslami, president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, made the remarks in response to a question about whether the United States had requested a reduction in enrichment during indirect talks in Oman on Friday.
"This issue depends on whether they will lift all sanctions in return," Eslami said. He stressed that transferring enriched uranium abroad has never been Tehran's plan, noting that such proposals have only been made by other parties seeking to help resolve the dispute. Countries such as Russia and Türkiye suggested storing Iran's highly enriched uranium, but Tehran rejected the offer.
Eslami also called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn last June's attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States. He said Iran's nuclear program operates fully within international law and safeguards agreements.
The Oman talks were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and U.S. President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Also on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the negotiations as a "very good opportunity" to resolve Iran's nuclear issue fairly.
Iran's objectives, he said, include protecting its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, maintaining domestic uranium enrichment, and securing the removal of "cruel" sanctions. "Iran will take steps toward the success of the diplomatic process and hopes the other side remains committed without excessive demands," he said.
Foreign Minister Araghchi echoed the president, emphasizing Iran's seriousness in seeking tangible results. "We are completely serious and seek real negotiations to achieve a clear result, provided the other side demonstrates the same seriousness," he said, according to IRNA. Araghchi added that diplomacy is the only path to resolving Iran's nuclear issue and that Tehran responds to respect, not coercion.
Acknowledging deep mistrust between Tehran and Washington, Araghchi expressed cautious optimism that confidence could be rebuilt. He called Friday's talks "a good start" but noted that further progress will depend on consultations and decisions in both capitals, amid heightened regional tensions fueled by U.S. military activity.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran's enrichment was capped at 3.67 percent. After the U.S. withdrew from the pact in 2018 and launched its "maximum pressure" campaign, Tehran began breaching those limits.
Western countries warn that Iran's current stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium could, if further enriched, produce several nuclear warheads. Iran denies any intention of building nuclear weapons. ■
