Negotiations Set to Resume Between Iran and the U.S.
Iran has announced that a new round of nuclear negotiations with the United States is scheduled for Sunday. This comes after the U.S. presented a proposal aimed at resolving ongoing disputes related to uranium enrichment.
The two nations, which have been adversaries for years, have engaged in five rounds of discussions since April. This marks the highest level of diplomatic engagement since former President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term in office.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated on Tuesday, "The next session of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. is set for Sunday in Muscat." Initially, Trump indicated that a meeting might happen on Thursday; however, Baqaei clarified that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would be attending the Oslo Forum in Norway, an assembly focused on conflict mediation.
The upcoming sixth round of discussions follows a U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal received by Tehran roughly two weeks ago. Araghchi criticized the proposal, describing it as containing "ambiguities."
Iran has expressed that the U.S. proposal lacks crucial elements discussed previously, such as the lifting of sanctions—a major demand from Tehran, which has suffered economically under these restrictions for several years.
The Iranian government plans to respond with a "reasonable, logical, and balanced" counter-proposal through the mediation of Oman.
On Monday, Trump mentioned that the forthcoming talks might clarify the feasibility of a nuclear agreement and help prevent potential military action.
Iran and the U.S. have been involved in a diplomatic standoff regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment, which Tehran defends as an "inviolable" right, while Washington considers it a "red line."
National Interests at Stake
Iran has enriched uranium to 60%, far exceeding the 3.67% limit established in the 2015 agreement, although it still falls short of the 90% threshold required for a nuclear weapon.
Western nations, including the U.S., have accused Iran of intending to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
On Tuesday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi dismissed suggestions of a "deadlock" in the talks with the U.S. He noted, "Any international negotiations come with their own sensitivities and require significant patience to achieve results. Our priority is to protect the nation’s interests through these discussions."
Takht-Ravanchi indicated that the sixth round would be the first where participants share their perspectives on exchanged written documents. He confirmed that Tehran would restate its position on its enrichment capabilities, consistent with its public statements in the past.
Meanwhile, the United Nations nuclear watchdog is holding a Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, set to last until Friday, to address Iran’s nuclear activities among other issues.
This meeting follows a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criticizing Iran for "less than satisfactory" cooperation, particularly in clarifying past nuclear material found at undeclared sites. Iran, in turn, has condemned the IAEA report as biased, alleging it was based on "forged documents" from its primary rival, Israel.
Araghchi reiterated his criticism of a plan by European and U.S. powers to propose a resolution at the IAEA meeting, which would accuse Tehran of failing to meet its nuclear obligations. He asserted, "Any impulsive and harmful decision by the Board of Governors against Iran will receive a suitable response," during a discussion with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
Iran has indicated it may reduce its cooperation with the IAEA if such a resolution is adopted.
