[Source/Observer Network Zhang Jingjuan] According to a report by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), on May 14 local time, a senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said in an interview that Iran is prepared to sign a conditional nuclear agreement with the Trump administration in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Ali Shamkhani, the Supreme Leader's highest political, military, and nuclear affairs advisor, is also one of the highest-ranking officials in Iran who openly discusses negotiation progress.

He said that Iran would commit never to produce nuclear weapons, destroy its stockpile of highly enriched uranium which could be weaponized, agree to enrich uranium only to lower concentrations required for civilian use, and allow international inspectors to oversee this process in exchange for the immediate lifting of all economic sanctions against Iran.

When asked if Iran would be willing to immediately sign such an agreement if conditions were met, Shamkhani gave an affirmative response, "Yes."

The report said that his remarks seemed to be the clearest public statement so far from the core circle around Iran's Supreme Leader regarding Iran's expectations and willingness to reach an agreement. The Supreme Leader has final say on all national security matters.

Shamkhani also stated that if the United States acted consistently, improved relations remained possible, "This might bring about a better situation in the near future."

Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, this senior advisor expressed concern that Netanyahu might attempt to undermine this process through behind-the-scenes lobbying in Washington. He believed that if the United States were free from Netanyahu's influence, the signing of the agreement would follow naturally.

According to reports, there are signs that Trump may be distancing himself from Netanyahu. Two U.S. officials, two Middle Eastern diplomats, and two others familiar with the tensions have revealed that the two leaders have growing disagreements over their strategies to address regional challenges such as Iran.

Insiders said that Netanyahu advocated for military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, while Trump shifted toward eliminating nuclear threats through agreements.

Ali Shamkhani - Associated Press

It was reported that Shamkhani made these comments hours after President Trump extended an "olive branch" to Iran.

On the 13th, Trump, speaking at the Saudi Investment Forum, threatened that if Tehran refused the nuclear deal, it would cut off Iran's oil exports and bankrupt Iran.

Trump said, "If the Iranian authorities refuse this olive branch and continue attacking neighboring countries, then we will have no choice but to exert maximum pressure, cutting off Iran's oil exports to zero, just as I did before. Everyone knows that it was because of my measures that Iran became an almost bankrupt country in reality."

Shamkhani frankly expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's tone and ongoing threats. "He talked about the olive branch, but we didn't see it; it's full of barbed wire."

Trump has repeatedly stated that he hopes Iran becomes strong but will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons.

Iran said that if Iran wanted to build nuclear weapons, it would have done so long ago. Iran's nuclear program is not aimed at building nuclear weapons.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of weapons-grade enriched uranium and has the capability to produce six nuclear weapons.

Weapons-grade enriched uranium refers to uranium with a 60% enrichment level, which can quickly be raised to the 90% or higher levels needed for nuclear weapons production, thus considered high-concentration uranium nearing weaponization.

After returning to the White House this year, Trump reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy on Iran from his first term as president and increased military deployments in the Middle East. He has also repeatedly threatened Iran, stating that if no diplomatic agreement is reached, the United States will take unprecedented actions such as bombing.

Currently, multiple rounds of negotiations between the United States and Iran have been held. Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, previously mentioned that the last round of talks held in Masqat, the capital of Oman, were "encouraging."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi then stated that the talks were "difficult but beneficial."

Araghchi emphasized that Tehran will not compromise on uranium enrichment issues but may adjust its scale, level, or quantity over time to build trust with the United States.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504527538396725771/

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