Iran’s Foreign Ministry characterized the talks with the United States as “useful” and conducted in a “constructive atmosphere,” Iran’s state IRNA news agency said, with both sides agreeing to meet again this coming weekend to continue the negotiations.
Another indication of optimism from Tehran is that Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on social media about the talks.
This came after optimism last week turned to a bit of frustration in the Islamic Republic as the Iranians sought to downplay hope for the negotiations. Reports indicate the talks will move to a “technical level” next.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was in Moscow recently, is now supposed to visit Beijing.
“Araghchi said that he was in Moscow to deliver a message from Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin,” IRNA noted, adding that, “He explained that the message addressed international and regional developments, as well as bilateral issues.”
The foreign minister also stressed the importance of ties with Russia as the US talks continue. Moscow is also in talks with Washington regarding Ukraine.
“Iran’s relations with Russia will not be affected by the upcoming developments,” Araghchi said, adding that talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were “constructive.”
Are discussions with the US constructive?
This paints the US talks in a positive light. IRNA noted that the foreign minister discussed a wide range of issues in Moscow and, “with a comprehensive strategic deal signed, relations between the two countries are now at a strategic level… we are well on our way to long-term cooperation.”
Araghchi also met with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, in Rome, prior to the meeting with the Americans. Tajani met the Iranian diplomat as Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was in the US to meet with US President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Ali Shamkhani, a political adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s team in Rome was given “full discretion” in the talks. This came after Khamenei had appeared to want to prevent direct talks and had cautioned against trusting the US over the last months.
Tehran now appears to hope for a “comprehensive” deal based on “nine principles.” These include: “seriousness, assurance, balance, the removal of sanctions, the rejection of the Libya/Emirates model, avoidance of threats, speed, the containment of nuisances (such as Israel), and the facilitation of investment.”