Iran and the United States are due to begin a third round of nuclear negotiations in Switzerland today (Thursday), Al Jazeera reported.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Geneva on Wednesday, where he met his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, who is mediating the indirect talks scheduled for Thursday.
Prior to his departure, Araghchi stated that a “fair, balanced and equitable deal” was achievable. He reiterated that Iran is not seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and would not relinquish what it describes as its right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
In Washington, DC, US Vice-President JD Vance accused Iran of attempting to revive its nuclear programme following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June.
“The principle is very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they attempt to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that creates problems for us,” he told reporters at the White House. “Indeed, we have seen evidence suggesting they have tried to do precisely that.”
Meanwhile, the US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against more than 30 individuals, entities and vessels alleged to have assisted in financing Iran’s oil sales, ballistic missile programme and weapons production.
Thursday’s negotiations are being led on the American side by former President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, along with his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The first round of talks took place in Oman on 6 February, followed by a second meeting in Geneva on 17 February.
After the previous session, Araghchi said the two sides had reached a preliminary understanding on the general principles that would shape further discussions, although no substantive agreement had yet been finalised.
sa
Views: 1
