CNN: Iran may seek economic incentives to avert US strike

As tensions escalate between the United States and Iran, Tehran could attempt to stave off a potential U.S. military strike through economic incentives, sources familiar with the matter say, even as high-stakes nuclear negotiations are set to resume.

During multiple rounds of talks last year, discussions included the possibility of business deals that might accompany a nuclear agreement, such as granting the U.S. privileged access to developing Iran’s oil, gas, and rare earths resources, one source told CNN. That topic is expected to resurface as negotiations continue.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that he prefers regime change in Iran and has threatened military action if the Iranian government does not halt crackdowns on protesters.

“Regime change would be the best thing that could happen” in Iran, he said on February 13. Over the weekend, Trump added that the U.S. “doesn’t want any enrichment,” signaling that Washington may reject any deal allowing even low-level uranium enrichment.

Iran, however, has maintained that enrichment is a sovereign right, a stance that could leave little room for compromise, sources said. Yet, they noted that hard-line positions can shift as negotiations progress.

Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on February 16 for “in-depth technical discussions,” as both sides prepare for crucial talks on February 17.

U.S. officials emphasise that diplomacy is still preferred, though the stakes remain high. Senator Marco Rubio, speaking at a press conference in Budapest on February 16, said, “Iran ultimately is governed and its decisions are governed by Shia clerics — radical Shia clerics, okay? These people make policy decisions on the basis of pure theology. That’s how they make their decisions. So, it’s hard to do a deal with Iran.”

The upcoming talks in Switzerland are expected to be led by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, with Iran represented by Araghchi. The US president has said he will be “indirectly” involved.

By Sabina Mammadli