Iran promises flexibility at nuclear talks amid threat of US strikes

The US has also sent around a dozen F-22 fighter jets to Israel – the first time Washington has deployed combat aircraft to the country for potential wartime operations, a US official said.

The Trump administration has not formally announced the deployment. The Pentagon declined to comment.

Trump said on Feb 19 that Iran must make a deal in 10 to 15 days, warning that “really bad things” would otherwise happen.

Oil prices inched up on Thursday as investors gauged whether the talks could avert a military conflict that risks supply disruptions, though gains were capped by higher US crude inventories.

Saudi Arabia is increasing its oil production and exports as part of a contingency plan in case any US strike on Iran disrupted supplies from the Middle East, two sources said on Wednesday.

Araqchi said on Tuesday Iran aimed to achieve a fair, swift deal, but reiterated that it would not forgo its right to peaceful nuclear technology. Washington views nuclear enrichment inside Iran as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons.

“A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority,” Araqchi said in a statement on X.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Tehran was offering new concessions in return for the removal of sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich uranium.

But the sides remain sharply divided – even over the scope and sequencing of relief from crippling US sanctions – a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

Within Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei faces the gravest crisis of his 36-year tenure, with an economy buckling under tightened sanctions and renewed protests following major unrest and crackdown in January.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that Khamenei has banned weapons of mass destruction, which “clearly means Tehran won’t develop nuclear weapons”, reiterating a fatwa issued in the early 2000s.