2 weeks Ago By The Telegraph
The United States and Iran will hold a second round of nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday. The negotiations are aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for possible lifting of sanctions . Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, arrived in Rome early on Saturday to meet with Steve Witkoff , the US special envoy.
The talks, mediated by Oman, are scheduled to begin later in the day and follow initial discussions in Muscat last week, described by both sides as “constructive” and “positive” . The indirect talks were the first high-level discussions between the two arch-enemies since Donald Trump abandoned the 2015 nuclear accord during his first term as US president. Before heading to the Italian capital, Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, said that the Islamic Republic is committed to its obligations and determined to “safeguard and exercise its legitimate and legal rights to the peaceful use of nuclear energy”.
On Saturday, he told state media: “The framework of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s positions and demands regarding the lifting of unlawful sanctions and the nuclear issue is completely clear and was conveyed to the other side in the first round of talks. He added: “However, given the contradictory statements we’ve heard over the past few days from different US officials, we expect the American side to first provide clarification on this matter and address the serious ambiguities that have arisen regarding its intentions and sincerity.” Mr Trump is seeking an agreement to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb and has warned of a military strike if an agreement is not forthcoming.
Iran wants a release of the sanctions that have crippled its economy. Mr Baghaei said that any step forward would only be possible if the other side acts realistically and “refrains from being influenced by warmongering extremist circles, including the Zionist regime”. He added: “They must avoid making unrealistic and unreasonable demands that go against accepted international norms and practices, and instead adopt a constructive and rational approach.
” Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , Iran’s supreme leader, said that his country’s negotiation team is heading to Rome “with full authority to pursue a comprehensive agreement based on nine principles: seriousness, guarantees, balance, lifting sanctions, not the Libya/UAE model, avoiding threats, speed, containing aggressors (such as Israel), and facilitating investment.” Mr Trump has resumed his “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign against Iran while pursuing diplomatic channels. In March, he sent a letter to Khamenei , who turned 86 on Saturday, urging renewed nuclear negotiations.
“I’m not in a rush to use the military option,” Mr Trump said on Thursday. “I think Iran wants to talk.” Israel has reportedly proposed several military options to the Trump administration in recent months.
The plans include air strikes and commando operations that could delay Iran’s nuclear programme by months or years. Israeli officials now believe that they could launch a more limited strike requiring less US support than previously planned operations. Analysts believe that Israel would be unable to carry out large-scale strikes against Iran without US support, given the Islamic Republic’s undisclosed military capabilities – including an unknown number of underground missile cities.
One of the challenges for Israel in hitting Iran is that its warplanes must travel more than 1,500 kilometres to be within striking distance. This requires mid-air refuelling over potentially hostile territory while facing Iran’s Russian-made air defences. Some politicians in Tehran have said that Iran needs a nuclear bomb to “balance” power dynamics in the region.
On Wednesday, Rafael Grossi, the UN nuclear watchdog chief, told the French newspaper Le Monde that Iran was “not far” from possessing a nuclear bomb. Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 per cent purity, above the 3.67 per cent limit set by the 2015 agreement but below the 90 per cent needed for weapons-grade material.
On Friday, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, urged European countries to consider triggering the “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 agreement, which would reinstate UN sanctions on Iran. This option expires in October. Also on Friday, Mr Araghchi said that Iran had “serious doubts about the intentions and motivations of the American side” but would participate in the negotiations.
He said that a deal was “likely” if Washington avoided “unreasonable and unrealistic demands”. Iranian officials insist that the talks focus only on their nuclear programme and sanctions relief. Mr Araghchi called Iran’s right to enrich uranium “non-negotiable” after Mr Witkoff reportedly demanded a complete halt to enrichment.
Ahmad Khatami, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts and Tehran’s interim Friday prayer leader, said that Iran’s missile capabilities, regional influence and nuclear issues are “non-negotiable” in talks between Iran and the US. Speaking after Friday prayers, Mr Khatami said that the Islamic Republic would not accept discussions on uranium enrichment, missile and defence matters, or its regional presence. “If the American side wants to cross these red lines, they will certainly receive no response,” Mr Khatami said.
He added: “The era of threats is over. Our nation does not submit, and political intimidation no longer has any effect.” Mr Grossi, who met with Iranian officials in Tehran this week, said that the US and Iran were “at a very crucial stage” and “don’t have much time” to reach an agreement.
Western countries have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons , while Tehran maintains its programme is for peaceful civilian purposes..
