Iran Signals Potential for Nuclear Deal with U.S. Following Direct Talks Announcement
Iran's Foreign Minister asserts agreement is possible if the U.S. shows goodwill ahead of negotiations set to begin in Oman.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated on Tuesday that an agreement with the United States regarding the nuclear issue is achievable if the U.S. demonstrates the necessary goodwill.
This statement precedes indirect negotiations scheduled to commence on Saturday in Oman.
Araghchi emphasized that the primary objective of these discussions is the lifting of U.S. sanctions, which were reimposed in 2018 by former President Donald Trump and have significantly impacted Iran's economy.
On Monday, President Trump surprised many by announcing that the U.S. is engaging in 'direct' discussions with Iran, despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two nations for 45 years.
In response, Iran has indicated its willingness to engage in talks but has firmly rejected any direct negotiations conducted under pressure.
"These negotiations will be conducted in an indirect manner, and we will not accept any other form of negotiation," Araghchi stated, as reported by the official Iranian news agency Irna.
The U.S. and its allies have long suspected Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities, a claim that Iran consistently denies, asserting that its nuclear activities are solely aimed at peaceful purposes, particularly in the energy sector.
In March, Trump sent a letter to Iranian leaders inviting them to negotiate on their nuclear program with the intent of establishing a new agreement to replace the previous international accord, which has been effectively invalid since the U.S. withdrawal.
However, Trump also issued threats of military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail and imposed additional sanctions on Iran’s oil sector.
On Monday, Trump stated that discussions with Iran are set to advance to a 'very high-level' meeting planned for Saturday.
He noted that if a new agreement is reached, it would be 'different and perhaps much more robust' than the previous accord.
Trump warned, however, that Iran would be 'in great danger' if the discussions did not yield results.
Following this announcement, Tehran reiterated its refusal to engage in direct talks, and Araghchi is scheduled for indirect discussions in Oman with U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, as confirmed by the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Araghchi remarked, "If the other side has the necessary and sufficient will, an agreement can be found.
Ultimately, the ball is in America’s court," reinforcing the emphasis on sanctions relief as a critical goal of the negotiations, with Oman acting as a facilitator.
In a separate related development, Iran is also engaging in consultations in Moscow on the nuclear issue with its key partners, Russia and China.
The Kremlin expressed support for the discussions initiated by Trump, highlighting their potential to reduce tensions surrounding Iran.
"We know that some direct and indirect contacts are planned in Oman, and of course, we can only welcome this, as it may lead to a de-escalation of tensions around Iran," stated Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian presidency.
China called on the U.S. to demonstrate 'sincerity' in these talks.
The 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the U.S., China, Russia, France, and the U.K.) plus Germany, involved the lifting of certain international sanctions in exchange for constraints on Iran’s nuclear program.
The withdrawal of the U.S. from this agreement in 2018 led Iran to distance itself from the terms and accelerate its nuclear capabilities further.
The diplomatic estrangement between Iran and the U.S. traces back to 1980, following the seizure of American diplomats during the Islamic Revolution; however, indirect communications have occurred through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, with Oman having acted as a mediator historically.
This statement precedes indirect negotiations scheduled to commence on Saturday in Oman.
Araghchi emphasized that the primary objective of these discussions is the lifting of U.S. sanctions, which were reimposed in 2018 by former President Donald Trump and have significantly impacted Iran's economy.
On Monday, President Trump surprised many by announcing that the U.S. is engaging in 'direct' discussions with Iran, despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two nations for 45 years.
In response, Iran has indicated its willingness to engage in talks but has firmly rejected any direct negotiations conducted under pressure.
"These negotiations will be conducted in an indirect manner, and we will not accept any other form of negotiation," Araghchi stated, as reported by the official Iranian news agency Irna.
The U.S. and its allies have long suspected Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities, a claim that Iran consistently denies, asserting that its nuclear activities are solely aimed at peaceful purposes, particularly in the energy sector.
In March, Trump sent a letter to Iranian leaders inviting them to negotiate on their nuclear program with the intent of establishing a new agreement to replace the previous international accord, which has been effectively invalid since the U.S. withdrawal.
However, Trump also issued threats of military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail and imposed additional sanctions on Iran’s oil sector.
On Monday, Trump stated that discussions with Iran are set to advance to a 'very high-level' meeting planned for Saturday.
He noted that if a new agreement is reached, it would be 'different and perhaps much more robust' than the previous accord.
Trump warned, however, that Iran would be 'in great danger' if the discussions did not yield results.
Following this announcement, Tehran reiterated its refusal to engage in direct talks, and Araghchi is scheduled for indirect discussions in Oman with U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, as confirmed by the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Araghchi remarked, "If the other side has the necessary and sufficient will, an agreement can be found.
Ultimately, the ball is in America’s court," reinforcing the emphasis on sanctions relief as a critical goal of the negotiations, with Oman acting as a facilitator.
In a separate related development, Iran is also engaging in consultations in Moscow on the nuclear issue with its key partners, Russia and China.
The Kremlin expressed support for the discussions initiated by Trump, highlighting their potential to reduce tensions surrounding Iran.
"We know that some direct and indirect contacts are planned in Oman, and of course, we can only welcome this, as it may lead to a de-escalation of tensions around Iran," stated Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian presidency.
China called on the U.S. to demonstrate 'sincerity' in these talks.
The 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the U.S., China, Russia, France, and the U.K.) plus Germany, involved the lifting of certain international sanctions in exchange for constraints on Iran’s nuclear program.
The withdrawal of the U.S. from this agreement in 2018 led Iran to distance itself from the terms and accelerate its nuclear capabilities further.
The diplomatic estrangement between Iran and the U.S. traces back to 1980, following the seizure of American diplomats during the Islamic Revolution; however, indirect communications have occurred through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, with Oman having acted as a mediator historically.
