UN Awaits US-Iran Nuclear Talks in Geneva, Hopes for De-escalation

UN/New York (ANTARA) - UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday (25/2) that the UN is looking forward to the next round of talks between the United States and Iran regarding Tehran’s nuclear programme in Geneva on 26 February.

“Regarding Iran, we would like to see de-escalation. And we, I think like everyone, are looking forward to the talks scheduled to be held in Geneva tomorrow,” Dujarric told reporters.

Previously, US President Donald Trump said in his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday (24/2) that he prefers diplomacy with Iran, but has not heard any “specific statement” from Tehran that they will never possess nuclear weapons.

On the same day, hours before Trump’s speech, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran “will never develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances,” and will also never give up “its right to benefit from peaceful nuclear technology” for its people.

On Sunday (22/2), Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, whose country is acting as a mediator, announced that Geneva would host the next round of talks between the US and Iran on 26 February.

The US delegation will be led by presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, while Iran will be represented by Araghchi.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti-OANA

Translator: Katriana