Iran seeks 'peaceful nuclear deal' with US, official says
(VOVWORLD) - Iran wants to reach a "peaceful" nuclear agreement with the United States to resolve a decades-long dispute, but will not compromise its national security, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Tuesday.
The US, its European allies and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear program as a veil for efforts to try to develop the capability to produce weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
In October, President Donald Trump said the US was prepared to make a deal with Iran when Tehran was ready to do so, adding, "The hand of friendship and cooperation (with Iran) is open."
Speaking at the 12th Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, Khatibzadeh said Washington was sending Tehran contradictory messages about nuclear talks through third countries.
The two nations held five rounds of nuclear talks prior to a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, which Washington joined by striking key Iranian nuclear sites.
Major gaps remain between the two sides such as the issue of uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, which the US wants to cut to zero to minimise any risk of weaponisation, a plan Tehran has rejected.