NYT: Iran Ready to Scale Back Nuclear Program for Deal with US

The New York Times (NYT), citing officials, claims that Iran is ready to curtail or suspend its nuclear program in order to reach an agreement with the USA and ease tensions in the region, reports BAKU.WS.

According to two sources, Tehran is prepared to halt or suspend implementation of the nuclear program, which would be a major concession, however Iranian authorities would prefer a settlement option through the creation of a regional consortium for nuclear energy production with US participation.

The newspaper notes, citing American and Iranian officials, that the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic Abbas Araghchi and US President's special envoy Steven Witkoff, who are to participate in negotiations on a possible nuclear deal on February 6 in Istanbul, maintain personal contact through correspondence. Furthermore, according to NYT, entrepreneur and son-in-law of the US President Jared Kushner will be present at the meeting in Turkey, as well as high-ranking officials from Turkey, Qatar and Egypt.

On January 26, US President Donald Trump stated that a "huge armada" of American naval forces is heading toward Iran. He expressed hope that Tehran will sit down at the negotiating table and conclude a "fair and equal" deal, implying complete renunciation of nuclear weapons. The White House chief also added that Iranian representatives are conducting "serious negotiations" with their American counterparts.