Geneva: There was ‘significant progress’ in the latest round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, but it is still unclear whether this will be enough to avoid war between the two countries.
The lastest round of talks were held on Thursday in Geneva, with Oman acting as the mediator.
Both sides agreed to resume talks “soon” after consulting with their respective capitals, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who mediated the high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, said. Technical-level discussions would take place next week in Vienna, he added, as reported by Associated Press.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, who led Tehran’s delegation, described the negotiations as among the “most intense and longest rounds” of discussions.
“Good progress” had been made, he said, with an agreement reached on some issues, though differences remain on others. He indicated the next round would take place in less than a week.
Iranian state media said that Tehran’s negotiators reaffirmed Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy. They rejected US demands to halt uranium enrichment completely and to transfer the country’s 400kg stock
pile of enriched uranium abroad.
Officials are, however, believed to have floated potential concessions, though the details have not been disclosed publicly, as reported by News18.
One reported proposal would allow Iran to resume limited uranium enrichment after a three- to five-year suspension, under international monitoring.
According to Araghchi, in exchange Iran is demanding the lifting of sanctions that have severely impacted its economy. Critics of Iran’s leadership argue that sanctions relief would provide a financial lifeline to the government.
Iran also rejected US calls to discuss limits on its ballistic missile programme or its support for regional groups, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen, saying talks should focus solely on nuclear issues, it has been reported.
These negotiations are being held amid escalating diplomatic and military tensions after US president Donald Trump ordered a major military build-up in the Middle East, including more than a dozen warships. There are two IS aircraft carriers operating in the region, which is extremely rare.
Iran has warned that if the US launches an attack, American bases across the region would be considered legitimate targets. Araghchi described such a scenario as “a devastating war” that could engulf the entire region.
The Geneva meeting marks the third round of talks since a 12-day conflict in June, during which Israel launched strikes against Iran and the US carried out heavy attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.