Iran Cautions Against Hasty Conclusions in Nuclear Talks

The ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States continue, yet a definitive agreement remains elusive. Iran's Foreign Minister has expressed caution, urging stakeholders to temper their expectations.

Following the second round of discussions with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome, Iran's Foreign Minister emphasized that there is no basis for either optimism or pessimism. He indicated that Iran is adopting a pragmatic approach, closely monitoring the evolution of the talks. Expectations, he noted, should remain grounded in reality, as tangible results may only emerge in forthcoming negotiation sessions.

After the recent discussions, both parties have agreed to further technical talks scheduled for Wednesday, with another political round set for the following weekend in Muscat, Oman. Oman's Foreign Minister continues to play a mediating role in these discussions.

Experts believe that the upcoming technical negotiations will focus on uranium enrichment, a contentious issue. Under the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement, Iran was permitted to enrich uranium to 3.67%. However, current levels reportedly exceed 60%.

Iran has indicated its willingness to revert to the agreed enrichment limit, contingent upon the lifting of economic sanctions. The reduction of uranium enrichment is seen as a crucial factor for reaching a political consensus. Additionally, Iran seeks the release of its frozen foreign accounts, estimated at over $100 billion, and demands binding assurances from Washington regarding the longevity of any potential agreement.

The backdrop to these negotiations is the U.S. withdrawal from the Vienna nuclear agreement in 2018 under former President Trump, a decision that significantly heightened tensions. Iran has firmly rejected the idea of abandoning nuclear technology entirely, akin to the approach taken by Libya.