Khamenei Supports Nuclear Agreement as Iran Confirms Talks

Nasser Kanaani, a spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has officially confirmed Iran's engagement in indirect talks with the United States as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said over the weekend "nothing wrong" with a nuclear deal with the West. 

The talks took place in Oman with Kanaani emphasizing that they were "not conducted in secret," contrary to previous speculations.

During a press conference on Mondaay, addressing the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the US government regarding Iran's nuclear case, Kanaani revealed that Tehran has been exchanging messages with the United States through the mediation of Oman for several weeks now. 

The spokesperson also dismissed reports of a temporary agreement between Tehran and Washington as "only media speculation or potentially driven by political motives aimed at disrupting the negotiation process."

Kanaani reaffirmed Iran's intention to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), emphasizing that Iran seeks to adhere to the original terms of the previous agreement.

He clarified that the current negotiations revolve around the framework of the existing JCPOA and there are no new subjects being brought to the table.

Furthermore, Kanaani stressed that any agreement reached must align with Iran's national interests. 

The negotiating team is strictly bound by the red lines set by the leadership, particularly Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's conditions.

However, Khamenei expressed his support for an agreement during a Sunday, June 11 meeting with managers from the Atomic Energy Organization. 

"There is nothing wrong with the agreement [with the West], but the infrastructure of our nuclear industry should not be touched," Khamenei said, according to state media.

"Accusations about Tehran seeking nuclear weapons is a lie and they know it. We do not want nuclear arms because of our religious beliefs. Otherwise they [the West] would not have been able to stop it," Khamenei said.

Regarding the exchange of prisoners between Iran and the United States, Nasser Kanaani confirmed that negotiations are underway through intermediaries. 

He expressed hope for the swift release of prisoners from both sides. 

Individuals such as Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, and Murad Tahbaz, three Iranian-Americans detained in Iran, have been discussed as part of the negotiations.

In response to recent reports about the shipment of weapons from Iran to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, the spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the claims. 

Kanaani emphasized the longstanding cooperation between Iran and Russia, including defense collaboration, "which predates the conflict in Ukraine.”