Iran signals willingness to return to nuclear deal with US

Iran's president has indicated that Tehran remains open to returning to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement signed in June 2015 that was abandoned by the United States under the Trump administration. The statement underscores Iran's continued interest in diplomatic resolution despite recent military hostilities in the region.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East have encountered significant obstacles in recent months. The situation intensified following surprise military strikes launched by the US and Israel against Iran in late February, escalating regional tensions and complicating ongoing negotiations.

The JCPOA, which placed restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions, remains a central point of contention in US-Iran relations. While the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, Tehran has repeatedly signalled its preference for a negotiated settlement and return to the international accord.

The revival of diplomatic channels remains challenging given the current security environment in the region. Both parties face domestic political pressures that have hindered progress toward a comprehensive agreement, leaving the prospects for renewed negotiations uncertain in the near term.