MOSCOW – Iran remains open to reaching an agreement with the United States on its nuclear program, provided Washington takes a realistic approach, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Friday, ahead of a second round of high-stakes negotiations with the Trump administration.
Speaking at a press conference in Moscow following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Araqchi emphasised that “if the U.S. demonstrates seriousness of intent and avoids unrealistic demands, a deal is within reach.”
Araqchi noted that Iran observed signs of U.S. seriousness during the first round of talks held in Oman last week. The second round is scheduled for Saturday in Rome.
The negotiations come amid rising tensions, as U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of possible military action should Iran fail to strike a deal. Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, while Western powers remain sceptical, suspecting ambitions to develop a nuclear weapon.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for diplomacy, saying Moscow is “ready to assist, mediate, and play any role that will be beneficial to Iran and the USA.”
As a UN Security Council member and signatory of the 2015 nuclear deal—abandoned by Trump in 2018—Russia has historically played a key role in mediating Iran’s nuclear negotiations.
Araqchi was also carrying a letter from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to President Vladimir Putin, briefing the Kremlin on the ongoing talks.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised Washington’s preference for a peaceful resolution, but firmly stated that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
