Iran willing to abandon nuclear program if US presents 'satisfactory alternative' - report

(Sharecast News) - The Iranian deputy foreign minister reportedly said on Thursday that the country is ready to abandon its nuclear program on condition that the US presents "a satisfactory alternative offer". European equity markets turned higher on the news, which was reported by Bloomberg.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said: "There's been an abrupt change in sentiment this morning, European stock markets are higher and oil and gas prices are moderating, after comments from Iran's deputy minister about pre-conflict talks between Iran and the US.

"He said that Iran was ready to get rid of their uranium stockpile before the attacks from the US. The market is taking this as good news. Does it mean that Iran is willing to surrender their nuclear capabilities, and the war won't be prolonged? These comments don't actually change anything at this moment, but it does highlight how reactionary markets are to headlines right now."