Iran Signals Readiness for Nuclear Deal with U.S., Says Top Khamenei Advisor

Tehran/Washington – In a development that could dramatically reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced in an interview with NBC News that Iran is prepared to sign a new nuclear agreement with the United States. The announcement comes amid rising regional tensions and persistent efforts by global powers to prevent nuclear proliferation in the region.

Shamkhani, one of the most influential figures in Iran’s political and security establishment, laid out the framework of a proposed deal that he said has the backing of Iran’s leadership. Under the terms of the agreement, Iran would make sweeping concessions aimed at ensuring its nuclear program remains strictly peaceful.

According to Shamkhani, Iran is ready to formally and permanently renounce the development of nuclear weapons, a longstanding concern of the U.S. and its allies. The country would also agree to eliminate its existing stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium and commit to enriching uranium only to levels necessary for civilian energy purposes — typically around 3.67% purity, as previously stipulated in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Additionally, Iran would permit full inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), providing international monitors with access to its nuclear facilities to verify compliance with the deal’s terms. These measures, Shamkhani suggested, are intended to demonstrate transparency and rebuild trust with the international community.

In return, Iran is demanding the immediate and complete lifting of all U.S. economic sanctions, which have severely impacted its economy, especially since former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions. Tehran is particularly focused on regaining access to international banking systems and oil markets, both of which have been heavily restricted under the current sanctions regime.

“This is a realistic and fair path forward,” Shamkhani told NBC News. “Iran is willing to cooperate fully, as long as its rights are respected and the economic war against our people comes to an end.”

The announcement has sparked cautious optimism in diplomatic circles. While U.S. officials have not formally responded to Shamkhani’s remarks, sources within the Biden administration have previously indicated an openness to a negotiated solution, provided Iran makes verifiable commitments to non-proliferation.

The proposed deal would mark a significant turnaround in U.S.-Iran relations, which have been marked by hostility, proxy conflicts, and mutual distrust for decades. Reviving diplomacy could also ease broader tensions in the Middle East, where Iran’s nuclear ambitions have long been a flashpoint for conflict, particularly with Israel and Gulf Arab states.

European leaders, who were co-signatories of the original JCPOA and have continued to push for its revival, are likely to welcome the new proposal. The IAEA, which has struggled in recent years to maintain full oversight of Iran’s nuclear activities, may also view this offer as a potential breakthrough.

However, skepticism remains high among critics of Iran’s regime. Some in Washington, particularly in Congress, are likely to question Tehran’s sincerity and demand guarantees that any deal is enforceable and irreversible. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long warned that Iran cannot be trusted and is expected to oppose any agreement that does not dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure entirely.

For now, Shamkhani’s proposal represents a diplomatic opening — one that could either rekindle the spirit of the 2015 nuclear deal or be dismissed as yet another standoff in a long and complicated history. The coming days and weeks may determine whether this bold offer becomes the starting point for renewed negotiations or yet another missed opportunity for peace.