Iran could revisit nuclear weapons ban if war resumes, security chief says

Iran is debating whether to maintain its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons if hostilities resume, though no decision has been taken on any change, Iranian Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei told state media on Saturday.

Rezaei also said Washington's tone had shifted as it sought to restart negotiations with the Islamic Republic.

The US Vice President JD Vance wrote to Rezaei last week in a bid to revive diplomacy.

According to the New York Times, Qatari mediators handed the letter to Rezaei. It proposed direct talks headed by Vance, with Iran's nuclear programme up for discussion from the outset.

"I read the letter. I haven’t yet responded. Their tone has completely changed," Rezaei said, calling the shift "a good sign" that showed Iran had "consolidated its victory".

He declined to comment further on the letter's contents, but said Iran's nuclear issue could be discussed only after the United States met Iran's demands.

His comments came as indirect mediation between Washington and Tehran through Qatar continued, though Iranian officials said earlier on Saturday that they had no plans to meet US officials.