Iran and the United States agreed, during negotiations in Geneva, this Tuesday (17), on the “guiding principles” for the negotiations, but there is still a lot of work to be done, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi after the meeting.
Tehran’s top diplomat said indirect talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were more “serious” than the previous round, describing them as “positive” but warning that a deal would not be reached “quickly.”
“We are hopeful that we can complete this work quickly and dedicate the necessary time to it. But regardless, when it comes to the text, the work becomes more detailed and more difficult,” he told state television after the conclusion of the second round of negotiations.
“We have reached an understanding on the guiding principles, but the drafting and drafting of the agreement will be more difficult,” he said, adding that the date for the next round of negotiations has not yet been set.
Araghchi said the two sides agreed to prepare draft versions of the agreement and exchange them before the next round of negotiations.
“Right now, we have a much clearer vision of the work that needs to be done and the work that needs to continue. Of course, both sides still have work to do to get closer, but at least we now have a structure and a clearer path forward,” said the chancellor.
The minister also stated that the United States must also fight against Iran.
US increases military presence in the Middle East
The United States has sent its own military force into the Middle East to pressure Tehran to make concessions in the decades-old nuclear dispute, and President Donald Trump has said that “regime change” in Tehran may be the best solution.
Iranian state media reported that Iran would temporarily close part of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies, while it held negotiations over its nuclear program.
At the same time, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned on Tuesday (17) that any US attempt to depose his government would fail.
Oil futures fell and the price of the benchmark Brent crude contract fell more than 1% after Araqchi’s comments eased some of the tension over the looming supply disruption.
Speaking also at the disarmament conference in Geneva, Araqchi said that a “new window of opportunity” had opened and that he hoped the talks would lead to a “sustainable” solution that would guarantee full recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, participated in the negotiations, which were mediated by Oman, according to a source familiar with the matter told the Reuters news agency. The White House did not respond to emailed questions about the meeting.
Trump had previously said that he himself would “indirectly” participate in the Geneva talks and that he believed Tehran wanted to reach a deal.
“I don’t think they want the consequences of not reaching an agreement,” the American leader told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday (16). “We could have reached an agreement instead of sending the B-2s to destroy their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s.”
The US joined Israel last June in bombing Iranian nuclear facilities.
