Progress in Iran–U.S. negotiations; technical talks to begin next monday

Pars Today – Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, announced “good” progress in the third round of indirect negotiations with the United States, stating that discussions on the elements of a potential agreement have achieved very good progress.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, the third round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States concluded on Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland.

With a positive assessment of the negotiation process, the two sides agreed to begin technical-level talks starting next Monday and to hold the next round of negotiations within the coming week.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, described this round of negotiations—held with the mediation of Oman and attended by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency—as the “most serious and longest” talks to date.

Emphasizing the progress achieved in both the nuclear and sanctions areas, he stated: “Overall, during these long and highly intensive hours, good progress was made, and we entered into a serious examination of the elements of a potential agreement.”

Referring to the atmosphere of the negotiations and Muscat’s mediating role, the Iranian foreign minister added: “On some issues, understandings have become very close. Of course, differences of opinion still exist, which is natural, but compared to the past, greater seriousness is observed on both sides in reaching a negotiated solution.”

Agreement reached on technical talks in Vienna and next round of negotiations

According to Iran’s foreign minister, it has been agreed that starting Monday, technical teams will begin expert-level discussions in Vienna at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The purpose of the meeting has been described as addressing certain technical issues within a defined framework. Seyed Abbas Araghchi explained: “It was agreed that our experts will hold a meeting with the Agency next Monday. There, certain technical aspects must be discussed so that these dimensions become clear. After that, we will be able to make decisions about them in political-level meetings.”

Seyed Abbas Araghchi also announced plans to hold a fourth round of negotiations in the near future, saying: “I expect this meeting to take place in about a week. In the meantime, both sides need to take certain steps, prepare documents, and naturally conduct the necessary consultations in their respective capitals.”

Elaborating on Iran’s positions regarding sanctions, he emphasized that Tehran’s expectations have been clearly stated. The Iranian foreign minister added: “In the area of sanctions relief, we clearly outlined our expectations—what measures must be taken, which U.S. sanctions should be lifted, and what process should be followed regarding issues raised at the United Nations Security Council.”

In a related development, JD Vance, Vice President of the United States, told The Washington Post during the course of the negotiations that the administration of Donald Trump “prefers the diplomatic option in dealing with Iran” and stressed that the United States is not seeking a prolonged military conflict in West Asia (the Middle East).

Badr Albusaidi: Iran–U.S. talks saw exchange of “creative and positive” ideas

Badr Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, described the third round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva as being accompanied by the exchange of “creative and positive” ideas.

He also reaffirmed Muscat’s commitment to supporting these talks.