FM: Iran to 'judge' how to proceed after Saturday talks in Rome

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will assess and decide on the path ahead of negotiations based on the approach of the United States in the second stage of indirect talks that is set to be held in Rome, Italy.  

While speaking to reporters in Moscow on Friday, Araghchi announced his upcoming trip to Italy, emphasizing Iran's "seriousness" in the ongoing talks about the country’s peaceful nuclear program, which commenced last Saturday in Muscat.

Asked about contradictory remarks made by US officials since the first round of talks, Araghchi said, “In these talks, our stance is clear and we have expressed it clearly to the other side. Our remarks haven’t changed and will not change; and we don’t speak in different ways every day. We expect the other parties to be present in the talks with seriousness and stability of opinion and firmness in their steps.”

“In this case, talks can move forward and have a productive outcome,” he added.

The minister further said, “On Saturday, we will participate seriously in the indirect talks, and based on the approach of the other party, we will assess and judge how we should continue on this path."

Iran’s nuclear chief urges IAEA to maintain neutrality in Tehran-Washington talks

Tehran expects the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to remain neutral and professional in its approach to the indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, says head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.

He also noted that Oman will continue to mediate the negotiations, with Italy being just the venue of the event.

Rome is just “the location of the talks,” adding Oman “remains the host for the indirect talks between Iran and the US.”

“We will be present in the location specified by the host (Oman). The responsibility for mediation, facilitation, and establishing indirect communication continues to lie with the Foreign Minister of Oman and the government of that country," Araghchi said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Iran’s top diplomat noted that several countries, including China and Russia, have expressed their readiness to contribute to facilitating the talks, but “we are indeed carrying out this work through Oman. Our friends, such as Russia and China, that have previously played a role in the nuclear talks, can have a role and provide assistance” in the new negotiations, he stated.

Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, the US president’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, led the first round of indirect talks in the Omani capital of Muscat on Saturday. Both sides described the talks as positive and constructive.

On Tuesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the indirect talks between Iran and the US in the Omani capital have been “implemented well in their initial steps,” but added that the Islamic Republic is “very skeptical” of the other side.

During his first term in office, US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from a previous agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and launched a maximum pressure campaign against the country.

Trump restored that policy after returning to the White House for a second term in January, but he has since signaled a willingness to make a new deal to replace the 2015 deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s leadership, asking for negotiations to reach a new deal and threatening military action if Tehran refused.

Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure and threats, but said indirect talks remain an option.

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