Demonstrators hold large “Lion and Sun” flags of pre-revolutionary Iran during the “March for a Free Iran” held by the British Iran Freedom Committee in London, England, on January 18, 2026.
Toby Melville | Reuters
Iran and the United States have different views on sanctions relief in talks to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a senior Iranian government official told Reuters on Sunday, adding that new talks were planned for early March amid growing concerns about military conflict.
Iran and the United States resumed talks earlier this month to address a decades-long standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, as the United States builds up its military in the Middle East and fears of a broader war grow.
Iran has threatened to attack US military bases in the Middle East if US forces attack.
“Last talks showed that the United States’ ideas on the scope and structure of sanctions relief differ from Iran’s demands. Both sides need to reach a logical date for sanctions relief,” the official said.
“This roadmap must be reasonable and based on mutual benefits.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi said on Friday he expected a counter-draft would be ready within days, while US President Donald Trump said he was considering a limited military strike.
ready to compromise
Tehran has signaled it is willing to compromise on its nuclear program, while rejecting U.S. demands for “zero enrichment,” a major sticking point in past negotiations.
The US government views enrichment within Iran as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons and wants to be granted the right to enrich uranium.
The US government is also demanding that Iran abandon its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium (HEU). The United Nations Atomic Energy Agency estimated last year that there were more than 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to up to 60% fissile purity in stockpiles, just shy of the 90% considered weapons-grade.
Iranian officials have said that in exchange for recognizing Iran’s right to “peaceful nuclear enrichment,” Tehran could seriously consider a combination of exporting some of its HEU stockpile, diluting the purity of its most highly enriched uranium, and establishing a regional enrichment consortium.
“Negotiations are continuing and there is a possibility that a tentative agreement could be reached,” he said.
win-win
Iranian officials said a diplomatic solution would bring economic benefits to both Iran and the United States.
“Among the economic measures being negotiated, the United States is also provided with the opportunity for serious investment and tangible economic benefits in Iran’s oil industry,” the official said.
But he said the Iranian government has no intention of handing over control of its oil and mineral resources.
“Ultimately, the United States could become Iran’s economic partner, but nothing more. American companies can always participate in Iranian oil and gas fields as contractors.”
