Iran hints at possible deal with US after talks
3 Min Read
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that the possibility of an agreement between Tehran and Washington remains open, contingent on the United States demonstrating genuine political will.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, in Tehran, Iran, on on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that a possible agreement between Tehran and Washington could be reached — but only if the United States shows genuine political will.
“The negotiations are indirect in nature, and we do not plan to turn them into direct ones, as we do not consider directness useful for the purposes of negotiations,” Araghchi told Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
“If the other side [the United States] has sufficient will, an agreement can be reached. In the end, as the famous phrase goes — the ball is on the side of the United States. If Washington comes to Oman with sufficient will, we will definitely achieve results,” he stressed.
The wider context
His remarks come ahead of high-level indirect talks between the two countries, scheduled to take place in Oman on Saturday. The meeting was also reported by The New York Times, citing Iranian officials familiar with the matter.
It is worth noting that Trump claimed on Monday that Washington and Tehran began direct talks over the Iranian nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House, Trump said, "We're having direct talks with Iran, and they've started. It'll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we'll see what can happen. And I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable," he told reporters.
The US president has been advocating for direct negotiations on a new agreement to limit Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei lately described Iran’s offer for indirect talks as “generous, responsible, and wise.”
There is increasing speculation that "Israel", potentially with US backing, may strike Iranian nuclear sites if no agreement is reached.
Trump warned that Iran would be in "great danger" if direct talks between Washington and Tehran fail.
"I think if the talks aren't successful with Iran, I think Iran's going to be in great danger," he said with Netanahu at his side. "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and if the talks aren't successful I actually think it will be a very bad day for Iran."
