White House says Iran would be wise to make deal to avoid conflict

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated in Washington on Tuesday that Iran would be wise to accept the current nuclear agreement proposal to avoid potential military conflict, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns about Iran's advancing nuclear program. The statement comes as negotiations in Vienna have stalled for weeks, with Iran demanding sanctions relief that the Biden administration has been reluctant to provide without verifiable guarantees that Iran will scale back its nuclear activities. The White House has expressed increasing concern over reports that Iran has enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, which would significantly shorten the time required for the country to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to do so. 'We believe a diplomatic path is still available, but it requires Iran to make the necessary compromises,' a senior administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity. 'The alternative is not something we want to contemplate, as it would lead to instability in the region and potentially require a military response that no one wants.' The official emphasized that while the US remains committed to diplomacy, the window for reaching an agreement is narrowing as both sides dig in their positions.