SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Iran and the United States have reached a comprehensive agreement on the basic principles for future negotiations following indirect talks held at the Omani Embassy in Geneva, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Korea said Thursday. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, described this second round of discussions as more serious than previous sessions, noting they took place within a constructive and practical atmosphere.
The meetings serve as a critical step in addressing long-standing friction between the two nations regarding nuclear and diplomatic issues. The talks were facilitated by Omani mediation to provide a neutral ground for the two delegations to communicate.
Both parties have started drafting a transition agreement and agreed to coordinate the schedule for the next round of meetings following a formal exchange of texts. Despite the progress, officials emphasized that additional efforts are required to resolve remaining points of contention.
The diplomatic track was further detailed in a telephone conversation between Professor Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The two officials reviewed the status of the indirect negotiations and exchanged views on the essential requirements for establishing a consistent negotiating framework. Director General Grossi provided a positive assessment of the Geneva talks and affirmed the agency's readiness to support ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
During a keynote speech at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Professor Seyed Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed that nuclear weapons represent the most significant threat to humanity. He clarified that the nuclear program of Iran is based entirely on peaceful objectives and stated that nuclear weapons hold no place in the national security doctrine of the country.
The foreign minister further stressed the importance of maintaining the technical and neutral character of the IAEA. He committed to continued constructive cooperation with the agency within the framework of legal obligations to ensure a sustainable and balanced agreement that secures the rights of the Iranian people.
Iran maintains that it will pursue goal-oriented and result-driven diplomacy to achieve practical outcomes through these sustained diplomatic efforts.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.