Excessive demands: Iran reveals obstacle to agreement with the United States
Iran has urged the United States to abandon what it described as “excessive demands” in order to reach an agreement, thereby highlighting an obstacle standing in the way of efforts to defuse current tensions.
Following talks held in Geneva between the two sides, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, that “the success of this process requires seriousness and realism from the other side, and the avoidance of any miscalculated steps and excessive demands,” according to a statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
“Good progress”
Earlier, Iran confirmed that it had achieved “good progress” in discussions with the United States after the third round of negotiations held Thursday in Geneva, and agreed to continue them, with technical talks scheduled in Vienna on Monday under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump gave Iran between 10 and 15 days to reach an agreement with the United States or face “serious consequences,” amid a buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East.
Thursday’s round took place as both sides have expressed openness to dialogue for weeks, while simultaneously preparing for potential confrontation.
The negotiating delegations met in two phases on Thursday at the residence of the Omani ambassador near Geneva.
Iran’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the U.S. delegation was headed by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law. The negotiations were conducted indirectly, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi.
Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said: “We have made good progress and addressed the elements of the agreement with great seriousness, both in the nuclear field and in the area of sanctions” imposed on Iran.
He stressed that Tehran’s delegation had presented “our demands very clearly” during the indirect talks mediated by Oman, referring to the “seriousness” shown by both sides in seeking a diplomatic resolution.
Later, on the platform X, Araghchi stated that “this round of negotiations was the most intensive so far,” adding that “new progress has been achieved in the diplomatic process with the United States.”
For his part, Badr al-Busaidi had earlier confirmed “significant progress in the negotiations between the United States and Iran. We will resume soon after consultations in the relevant capitals.”
A fourth round
Araghchi said: “Regarding our next meeting, the fourth round, it has been agreed that it will be held soon… probably within less than a week.”
He added: “There are a series of tasks that both sides must complete, certain documents that need to be prepared, and consultations that must take place in the capitals, after which we will hold the next meeting.”
Iran previously concluded an agreement with major powers in 2015, under which it limited its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the deal became void after President Trump withdrew the United States from it in 2018 during his first term.
The United States and Iran resumed negotiations earlier this month after previous talks were derailed by the war launched by Israel last June, which lasted 12 days and included U.S. strikes on nuclear sites.
