Iran signals willingness to negotiate nuclear programme within NPT framework

On 12 Sep 2026 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is "ready to negotiate on its nuclear programme within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)", signalling renewed openness to talks after indirect rounds earlier in 2026 and potentially lowering Middle East escalation premia if sustained.

If talks under the NPT framework proceed and meaningfully reduce the risk of wider military escalation, energy and shipping insurance premia that raise import bills for African fuel- and grain-importers could fall. Effects are conditional: only sustained de-escalation, concrete diplomatic progress, or verified limits on Iranian activities would transmit to lower energy-risk premia and insurance costs for affected African importers.

Whether the US accepts NPT-framed talks or insists on an expanded agenda (enrichment, missiles) in upcoming rounds.