Iranian Foreign Minister: Second Round of Indirect Iran-US Negotiations "Constructive"
Tehran — Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday (17 February) that the second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States was held in a more "constructive" atmosphere in Geneva compared with the previous round in Oman.
Araghchi made the statement during an interview with Iran's state-owned television station IRIB TV, following the conclusion of nuclear talks between Iranian and US delegations mediated by Oman at the Omani Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland.
"Various ideas have been put forward and seriously discussed, and ultimately we managed to reach a general agreement on a set of guiding principles, which form the basis for us to move to the next stage and begin drafting the text of a potential agreement," Araghchi said.
He stated that "this does not mean we can reach an agreement immediately, but at least the path has been started. We are optimistic that this work will be completed as soon as possible, and we are ready to devote sufficient time to it."
Araghchi said no date had yet been set for the next round of talks. Both sides agreed to draft the text of a potential agreement, exchange drafts with one another, and then schedule the next round.
"We now have a clearer picture of what needs to be done as the diplomatic path continues," Araghchi said.
After the second round of negotiations commenced, Iran announced the temporary closure of parts of the Strait of Hormuz to meet safety and navigation principles during a live fire drill entitled "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz" conducted by the country.
On Tuesday (17 February), Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said US President Donald Trump, like his predecessors, would fail to destroy the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The response was made following Trump's comments on Friday (13 February). The US President once again threatened Iran with military action and said that toppling the Iranian government "would be the best thing that could happen."
The first round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States was held in Muscat, Oman, on 6 February. The resumed diplomatic process is taking place amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US, as well as the strengthening of the US military presence in the West Asia region.
Araghchi made the statement during an interview with Iran's state-owned television station IRIB TV, following the conclusion of nuclear talks between Iranian and US delegations mediated by Oman at the Omani Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland.
"Various ideas have been put forward and seriously discussed, and ultimately we managed to reach a general agreement on a set of guiding principles, which form the basis for us to move to the next stage and begin drafting the text of a potential agreement," Araghchi said.
He stated that "this does not mean we can reach an agreement immediately, but at least the path has been started. We are optimistic that this work will be completed as soon as possible, and we are ready to devote sufficient time to it."
Araghchi said no date had yet been set for the next round of talks. Both sides agreed to draft the text of a potential agreement, exchange drafts with one another, and then schedule the next round.
"We now have a clearer picture of what needs to be done as the diplomatic path continues," Araghchi said.
After the second round of negotiations commenced, Iran announced the temporary closure of parts of the Strait of Hormuz to meet safety and navigation principles during a live fire drill entitled "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz" conducted by the country.
On Tuesday (17 February), Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said US President Donald Trump, like his predecessors, would fail to destroy the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The response was made following Trump's comments on Friday (13 February). The US President once again threatened Iran with military action and said that toppling the Iranian government "would be the best thing that could happen."
The first round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States was held in Muscat, Oman, on 6 February. The resumed diplomatic process is taking place amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US, as well as the strengthening of the US military presence in the West Asia region.