Khaberni - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi said on Tuesday that Tehran is ready to take any necessary actions to reach an agreement with the United States, as a new round of talks between the two countries is about to start.
A senior US official said on Monday that the talks are scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, where US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet with an Iranian delegation to negotiate.
The countries resumed negotiations earlier this month, at a time when the United States is working on enhancing its military capabilities in the Middle East.
Iran threatens to strike US bases in the region if attacked.
Takht Ravanchi commented in remarks carried by official media, "We are ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible. We will do everything necessary to achieve that. We will enter the negotiation room in Geneva with complete sincerity and in good faith."
White House spokesperson Carolyn Levitt said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's first choice is always diplomacy, but he is prepared to use lethal force if necessary.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday that Iran would seriously consider a range of options including sending half of its most enriched uranium stockpile abroad, reducing the concentration of the remaining amount, and participating in creating a regional union for enrichment, an idea repeatedly brought up during ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran for years.
The official added that Iran would take this step in exchange for the United States recognizing Iran's "right to peaceful nuclear enrichment" under an agreement that also involves lifting economic sanctions.
Takht Ravanchi stated, "If an attack or aggression occurs against Iran, we will respond according to our defensive plans... Any American attack on Iran represents a real gamble."
Indirect talks between the sides last year did not result in an agreement mainly due to disagreements over an American demand that Iran stop enriching uranium on its territory, which Washington considers a path towards possessing a nuclear bomb.
Iran has repeatedly denied seeking such weapons.
The United States joined Israel in bombing Iranian nuclear sites in June, effectively restricting uranium enrichment in Iran, while Trump stated that its main nuclear sites were "completely destroyed." However, it is believed that Iran still possesses previously enriched stockpiles, and Washington is seeking to force Tehran to give them up.
