Iran's newly elected reformist President, Masoud Pezeshkian, reiterated on Monday that Iran did not seek to enrich uranium at near-weapons grade levels but had been compelled to do so due to the United States' withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Pezeshkian made these remarks during his first news conference, emphasizing his campaign promise to lift international sanctions against Iran. However, the extent of Pezeshkian's ability to negotiate and the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential transition remain key factors in determining the future actions of Iran.

"I think, we said many times, we don't want to do this at all. We want to solve our technical and scientific needs, we are not looking for nuclear weapons," reaffirmed Pezeshkian. "We adhered to the framework written in the (nuclear deal). We are still looking to maintain those frameworks. They tore them, they forced us to do something."

Iran's current uranium enrichment stands at 60% purity, which is a significant step closer to the desired weapons-grade level of 90%. While Iran has consistently claimed that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have raised concerns about its previous military nuclear activities, dating back to 2003.

In a surprising move, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has expressed openness to possible negotiations, instructing the civilian government to engage with its "enemy." This willingness has opened a potential window for discussions between Iran and the U.S, with Oman and Qatar acting as mediators, as they have done in the past.

The appointment of Abbas Araghchi as the new foreign minister further signifies Iran's commitment to engagement, as Araghchi played a crucial role in the negotiation of the 2015 nuclear deal.

As the political landscape in Iran and the United States continues to evolve, the outcome of any future negotiations and the restoration of the nuclear deal hang in the balance. The international community will closely monitor the developments, conscious of the importance of stability and non-proliferation in the region.