Ali Shamkhani, a top political, military and nuclear adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, is one of the most senior Iranian officials to speak publicly about the ongoing discussions between Iran and the US.
He stated Iran would commit to never making nuclear weapons, getting rid of its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium which can be weaponized, agree to enrich uranium only to the lower levels needed for civilian use, and allow international inspectors to supervise the process, in exchange for the immediate lifting of all economic sanctions on Iran.
Asked if Iran would agree to sign an agreement today if those conditions were met, Shamkhani said, “Yes.”
His comments appear to be the clearest public statement yet on Iran’s expectations and willingness to reach a deal from the supreme leader’s inner circle.
“It’s still possible. If the Americans act as they say, for sure we can have better relations,” Shamkhani continued, adding, “it can lead to a better situation in the near future.”
Shamkhani sat down with NBC News just hours after Trump offered Iran “an olive branch” that was combined with threats of crippling economic sanctions should Iran not accept an agreement to limit its nuclear program.
Trump’s remarks were criticized by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“He thinks he can come here, chant slogans, and scare us. For us, martyrdom is far sweeter than dying in bed,” he said Wednesday in comments broadcast live on state television, according to Reuters.
“You came to frighten us? We will not bow to any bully.”
Shamkhani also expressed frustration at Trump’s tone and continued threats.
“He talks about the olive branch, which we have not seen. It’s all barbed wire,” he added.
Trump has repeatedly said Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
While Iran has always denied that it is seeking to do so, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, says that it has enriched enough uranium close to weapons-grade quality to make six nuclear bombs.
The U.S. and Iran have been holding talks over Tehran’s nuclear program for weeks, with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, calling the last round in Muscat, the capital of Oman, “encouraging.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, called the negotiations “difficult but useful.”
“Enrichment is an issue that Iran will not give up, and there is no room for compromise on it,” he said, adding, “However, its dimensions, levels or amounts might change for a period to allow confidence-building.”
In Wednesday’s interview, Shamkhani expressed concern that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, often known by the nickname Bibi, could try to derail the process through backchannel lobbying in Washington.
“If the Americans remove the Bibi effect, they can easily sign the deal,” Shamkhani stated.
There are signs, however, that Trump may be distancing himself from Netanyahu. NBC News previously reported that, according to two U.S. officials, two Middle Eastern diplomats and two other people with knowledge of the tensions, the two leaders are increasingly at odds over a strategy for tackling challenges in the region, including Iran.
While Netanyahu has supported military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump has begun to see an opportunity to remove the threat of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon by making a deal with the government, the sources stated.
