Iran reaffirms uranium stance ahead of 6th round of indirect US talks
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Majid Takht-Ravanchi emphasizes the importance of the sixth round of Iran-US indirect talks in Muscat. Tehran insists it will not abandon uranium enrichment, as Araghchi prepares for Oslo Forum.
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The political assistant to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, in an interview with Tasnim news agency on May 19, 2025 (Tasnim)
The political assistant to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, emphasized that the upcoming round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States is “important,” marking a potential turning point in the stalled dialogue.
Speaking on Tuesday, Takht-Ravanchi noted that the sixth round of talks will be the first in which Iran officially presents its stance on the written proposal submitted by the US side.
He made it clear that Iran’s response will be a firm rejection “if the American side raises the issue of halting uranium enrichment in the way it is being publicly presented.” He added, “It is too early now to talk about the future, but we can frankly say that we will never back down from uranium enrichment.”
Takht-Ravanchi stated that Iran will present its reasoning during the talks, underscoring Tehran’s position as non-negotiable on the enrichment issue.
Read more: Iran preparing counter-proposal to US nuclear offer: Exclusive
Talks setting remains unconfirmed
The Iranian official also pointed out that Tehran had already submitted a written proposal during the third round of discussions, outlining its core demands, while Washington only provided written material after the fifth round.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated on Monday that preparations are underway to hold the next round of indirect talks on Sunday in the Omani capital, Muscat.
Araghchi to attend Oslo Forum ahead of talks
Baghaei’s announcement followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said the meeting would take place on Thursday. However, both a senior American official and a senior Iranian official told Reuters that holding the meeting on that day is “unlikely.”
According to the US official, the sixth round of indirect talks could instead be held on Friday or Sunday, either in Muscat or Oslo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Oslo on Wednesday to participate in the 22nd session of the Oslo Forum.
Moreover, two American officials and another informed source told Axios that Trump and his top foreign policy advisors spent hours in a closed-door meeting at Camp David on Sunday to deliberate US strategy regarding the Iran nuclear program and the ongoing war on Gaza.
Read more: Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment: Sayyed Khamenei
