Report: Rowhani may shut nuclear site for sanctions lifting

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani may be willing to shut down the nuclear facility in Fordow, if the West agrees to remove all sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, intelligence sources told German newspaper Der Spiegel in a report on Monday.

The sanctions imposed by Washington amid a dispute over Tehran's nuclear program have restricted U.S. entities' trade with and provision of services to Iran.

Also on Monday, it was reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has given the green light for President Hassan Rowhani to engage in direct talks with the United States.

Hossein Mousavian, former spokesman for Iran’s nuclear negotiators, announced the news in an opinion published by the Jordan Times.

According to the intelligence sources speaking to Der Spiegel, Rowhani could also be willing to allow international inspectors to monitor the dismantling of the Fordow reactor, located near the city of Qom.

The recent election of centrist cleric Rowhani has raised hopes of a settlement and lifting of some sanctions in the country, which have been criticized by Iranian officials and opposition figures alike.

Rowhani is expected to affirm his commitment to trying to ease tensions in comments to the U.N. General Assembly this week.

(With AP and Reuters)