US, Iran say progress in ‘positive’ nuclear talks

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The United States and Iran reported progress in their recent nuclear talks on Saturday and agreed to meet again next week as they are following a deal that can facilitate the Middle East tension.

An American official described the talks as “positive and fruitful”, and the Iranian diplomat said the two sides would study how to tighten their differences on articles to some extent before the fourth round of next week.

For a long time, high-level contact between enemies has been targeting a new agreement that will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons-one purpose has refused to pursue it in exchange for sanctions.

“There is still a lot to be done, but there is further progress in a deal,” senior US official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the next dialogue will take place in Europe.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi called for Saturday’s talks, which included technical level teams for the first time, “serious and business”.

“There are differences between the two major issues and details,” he told Iranian State TV.

“By the next meeting, more studies are being conducted in the capitals on how to reduce the differences.”

Aragchi added, “I think our progress has been good so far. I am satisfied with the negotiations and its pace. I think it is moving well and satisfying.”

US President Donald Trump withdrew from the first, multilateral deal during his first term. The United States and Israel have repeatedly threatened military attacks with Iran.

‘Minute Details’

US Special Envoy Steve Watticov once again led the US delegation, while Michael Anton, head of the Foreign Ministry’s policy plan, led US -level negotiators.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Deputy Foreign Ministers Kazam Ghar Babdi and Majid Takht Ruchi led the Tehran’s technical team.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmiel Baqi and Aragchi said the delegation was in separate rooms and were discussed in writing by the hosts.

An Iranian state TV reporter said, “Experts and technical talks … Muttations have reached the stage of minutes about demands and expectations.”

According to Tasnim, Iran’s defense and missile capabilities were not discussed, Baqai told state TV, while the Iranian negotiator said the talks were “unique about sanctions and nuclear questions.”

Aragchi had earlier expressed “cautious hope”, saying: “If the only demand from the United States is not to own nuclear weapons, this demand is achieved”.

Government media reports that the talks took place with a major explosion at the Shahid Rajai port of Iran, which injured hundreds of people and killed at least four.

The Port’s Customs Office said the result was probably the storage depot.

Prior to the talks, Trump, in an interview published Friday by Time Magazine, reiterated his military action if any agreement was reached.

But he added that he would “prefer an agreement rather than to drop a bomb”. The talks began in Muscat a few days ago and continued in Rome last week.

Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’

He has been the most senior engagement among traditional enemies since 2018, when Trump withdrew from the 2015 milestone, which relieved Iran to sanctions in his nuclear program in exchange for curbs.

Since returning to the office, Trump has restored his “maximum pressure” policy of sanctions against Tehran.

In March, he proposed to talk to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,, but if diplomacy failed, a warning of possible military action.

On Tuesday, Washington announces new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil network – a move has been described as “opponent” to Tehran before Saturday’s talks.

On Wednesday, UN Nuclear Watch Dog chief Rafael Grossi called on Iran to explain the tunnels built near his Nuts nuclear site, which was seen in a satellite imagination released by the Institute for Science and International Security.

Iran currently pays up to 60 % of the uranium, which is far from 3.67 % imposed by the 2015 agreement, but still less than 90 % required for weapons grade content.

Eragachi has previously declared Iran’s right to rich uranium as “non -negotiation”.

Tehran restored engagement with Britain, France and Germany last year – it was also about to sign the 2015 agreement – which had made several rounds of nuclear talks before US meetings.

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on the three European states to decide whether to mobilize the “Snapback” procedure under the 2015 agreement, which would automatically restore UN sanctions on Iran on its non -compliance.

Option to expire mechanism in October.

Iran has warned that if Snapback has been mobilized, it may withdraw from a nuclear non -proliferation agreement.