Iran ready for a deal over its nuclear program, foreign minister says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday expressed Tehran's readiness for renewed talks with world powers aimed at breaking the long-standing deadlock over its disputed nuclear program.

The remarks were the among the clearest yet signaling that Iran, faced with a bevy of economic and military setbacks, sought to ease isolation due to intensify under a second presidency of Donald Trump through talks.

Negotiations should be aimed "at reaching an agreement," Araghchi said in an interview with China's state-run CCTV network.

“The formula we have is the same as the previous JCPOA formula, which is building trust about Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the removal of sanctions. We are ready to negotiate on this basis," he added.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the agreement signed in July 2015 between Iran, the European Union and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany---commonly known as the P5+1.

Britain, France, and Germany are set to begin a new round of talks with Iran over its nuclear program in Geneva on January 13.

The deal reached under US President Barack Obama was criticized by his successor Trump, who pulled out of the agreement, as too lenient on Tehran.

In an interview with Time magazine last month, Trump refused to rule out the possibility of war with Iran despite campaign statements opposing the use of force to overthrow Tehran's theocratic government.

When asked by a Time reporter about the likelihood of war, referencing allegations by US law enforcement that Iran had sought to assassinate him, Trump responded: "Anything can happen. Anything can happen. It's a very volatile situation."

Trump has also explored measures to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including potential airstrikes, according to the Wall Street Journal.

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said in December that Iran is dramatically accelerating its enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity, closer to the roughly 90% level needed for building a bomb.

Tehran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, saying its program is peaceful.