Iran’s top diplomat stated on Tuesday his belief that a new nuclear agreement could be reached with the United States, provided Tehran’s long-standing adversary demonstrates sufficient goodwill during talks scheduled to begin in Oman on Saturday.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s primary objective remains the lifting of comprehensive US sanctions, which were reimposed by President Donald Trump in 2018 and have severely impacted the Iranian economy.
Trump made a surprise announcement on Monday during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a key adversary of Tehran, that his administration would initiate discussions with Iran.
While Trump indicated the talks would be “direct,” Araghchi insisted that his negotiations with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday would be “indirect.”
“We will not accept any other form of negotiation,” Araghchi told official media outlets. “The format of the negotiations… is not the most important thing in my view. What really counts is the effectiveness or otherwise of the talks.
“If the other side shows enough of the necessary willingness, a deal can be found… The ball is in America’s court.”
Speaking on Monday in the Oval Office, Trump expressed hope for reaching an agreement with Tehran but cautioned that the Islamic republic would face “great danger” if the talks were to fail.
“We’re dealing with the Iranians, we have a very big meeting on Saturday and we’re dealing with them directly,” Trump informed reporters.
Trump’s announcement followed Iran’s rejection of direct negotiations on a new deal to curb its nuclear activities, dismissing the idea as pointless.
The US president withdrew from the previous nuclear agreement in 2018 during his first term, leading to widespread speculation that Israel, potentially with US assistance, might attack Iranian nuclear facilities if a new agreement is not achieved.
‘Great danger’
Trump issued a strong warning to Tehran, stating:
“I think if the talks aren’t successful with Iran, I think Iran’s going to be in great danger, and I hate to say it, great danger, because they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
In an interview with US network NBC late last month, Trump went further, saying, “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing.”
China and Russia held consultations with Iran in Moscow on Tuesday, after which the Kremlin expressed a positive view of the planned talks.
Key Iranian ally Russia welcomed the prospect of negotiations for a new nuclear accord to replace the deal with major powers that was unilaterally abandoned by Trump in 2018.
“We know that certain contacts — direct and indirect — are planned in Oman. And, of course, this can only be welcomed because it can lead to de-escalation of tensions around Iran,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Moscow “absolutely” supported the initiative.
China urged the United States to “stop its wrong practice of using force to exert extreme pressure” after Trump threatened Iran with bombing if it fails to agree to a deal.
“As the country that unilaterally withdrew from the comprehensive agreement on the Iran nuclear issue and caused the current situation, the United States should demonstrate political sincerity (and)… mutual respect,” its foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
Washington should “participate in dialogue and consultation, and at the same time stop its wrong practice of using force to exert extreme pressure,” Lin added.
