Iran signaled on Tuesday that progress has been made in its nuclear discussions with the United States.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the talks were “completely serious and the atmosphere was more constructive,” CBS News reports, citing information from Iranian state TV network IRIB. “Various ideas were presented and examined seriously. Ultimately, we were able to reach a general agreement on a number of guiding principles, and from now on we will proceed on the basis of those principles and move toward drafting the text of a potential agreement. This does not mean that we can quickly reach a final agreement, but at least the path has begun.”
“We hope this process can be completed as soon as possible, and we are prepared to devote sufficient time to it,” Aragachi added. “When it comes to drafting the text, the work becomes more detailed and more complex. In my view, good progress was made compared to the previous session, and we now have a clearer path ahead, which I consider positive.”
Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned calls for Iran to completely abandon its nuclear program, writing on social media during the talks, “Americans say: ‘Come negotiate with us about your nuclear energy, and the result would be that you won’t have that energy!’ There is no need to negotiate; but if a negotiation were to take place, predetermining its outcome is a misguided & stupid approach.”
The comments follow President Trump stating on Monday that he would be “involved in those talks indirectly,” noting that Iran does not “want the consequences of not making a deal.”
The nuclear discussions come as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is conducting naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz.
