The second round of nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. concluded successfully, focusing on Iran’s nuclear program and future negotiations. Iranian officials expressed willingness for a peaceful resolution, while Israeli leaders cautioned against agreements lacking assurances against nuclear weapon development. A third round of talks is planned for next Saturday.
On Saturday, Iran’s state television reported the conclusion of the second round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, describing the process as “successful.” These discussions, initiated on April 12 in Oman, were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Iranian state media characterized the atmosphere during these negotiations as “constructive.”
The focus of these discussions was primarily on Iran’s nuclear program, positioned as a significant point of contention between Tehran and Western nations. According to The Wall Street Journal, the talks also aimed to establish a framework for future negotiations and potentially lay the groundwork for a new agreement. A third round of discussions has been scheduled for next Saturday.
Prior to the meetings in Rome, Minister Araghchi expressed Iran’s readiness to pursue a peaceful resolution regarding the nuclear issue. During a press conference in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, he indicated that an agreement could be achieved if the United States approached the negotiations with a realistic perspective.
In contrast, Israeli officials cautioned the U.S. about making any progress in the talks without solid assurances that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons capabilities. On the same day, Ali Shamkhani, a political advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, confirmed that Iranian negotiators were granted “full discretion” to pursue a comprehensive agreement based on nine core principles.
These core principles outlined by Shamkhani include the necessity for seriousness, assurance, balance, sanctions removal, rejection of the Libya/Emirates model, avoidance of threats, swift action, containment of regional nuisances such as Israel, and facilitation of foreign investment. He remarked, “Iran is there for a balanced agreement, not to surrender.”
The current negotiations were initiated in response to a letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump to Ayatollah Khamenei, which called for new negotiations between the two nations. Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the previous nuclear agreement in 2018 prompted Iran to seek renewed discussions about its nuclear future, leading to Ayatollah Khamenei’s authorization of indirect negotiations.
The recent talks between Iran and the United States indicate a potentially constructive path toward addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The upcoming sessions aim not only to clarify future negotiations but also to construct a foundation for a new agreement. However, the contrasting positions of Israeli officials highlight the complexities and geopolitical sensitivities surrounding these discussions. It remains crucial for the involved parties to enhance dialogues to ensure a stable resolution to the nuclear issue.
Original Source: shafaq.com
