Iran has expressed its belief that an agreement with the United States regarding its nuclear program is attainable, provided that Washington adopts a realistic approach. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi made this statement on Friday, on the eve of a second round of talks with the Trump administration.
“If they demonstrate seriousness of intent and do not make unrealistic demands, reaching agreements is possible,” Araqchi told a news conference in Moscow, following discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Araqchi noted that Iran had observed a sense of seriousness from the United States during the initial round of talks on the deal, which took place in Oman the previous week. The second round of discussions is scheduled for Saturday in Rome.
US President Donald Trump has issued threats of military action against Iran if it fails to reach an agreement with the United States regarding its nuclear program, which Iran maintains is peaceful, while Western nations assert it is aimed at developing an atomic bomb.
Lavrov stated that Russia is “ready to assist, mediate, and play any role that will be beneficial to Iran and the USA.”
Moscow has historically played a role in Iran’s nuclear negotiations as a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council and a signatory to a previous agreement that Trump withdrew from during his first term in 2018.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dispatched Araqchi to Moscow with a letter for President Vladimir Putin, aiming to brief the Kremlin on the progress of the negotiations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated earlier on Friday that the US administration is seeking a peaceful resolution with Iran but will not tolerate the country developing nuclear weapons.
