US serious about nuclear talks, Araghchi says from Russia
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Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Apr 2025 20:56
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the progress in Iran-Russia ties is very positive during his visit to Moscow.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, foreground, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attend a news conference following their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Friday, April 18, 2025 (AFP pool via AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised the deepening ties between Tehran and Moscow during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday, highlighting Russia's constructive role in nuclear negotiations and regional stability.
Araghchi described the progress in Iran-Russia relations as "very good" and welcomed Moscow's strong presence on both the regional and international stages. He also delivered a personal letter from Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei to President Vladimir Putin, which he said addressed multiple areas of cooperation and current geopolitical issues.
Strategic partnership, nuclear issue
During the press briefing, Araghchi expressed satisfaction with Russia's position on the Iran nuclear agreement, referring to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries as highly significant.
Lavrov, for his part, reaffirmed Russia's readiness to facilitate negotiations between Iran and the United States, saying Moscow supports any "objective and mutually acceptable agreements" concerning Iran's nuclear program.
"We welcome the desire to reach balanced and mutually acceptable agreements between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States," Lavrov said. "Russia is prepared to support and assist this process in ways that respect Iran's legitimate interests."
Lavrov also warned that efforts to burden the nuclear negotiations with unrelated issues would be risky and counterproductive.
Cautious optimism on US talks
Regarding the indirect talks with the US, Araghchi said that Iran sees a degree of seriousness from the American side, but emphasized that direct negotiations are currently off the table. "An agreement is possible if the US refrains from making unrealistic demands," he said.
He added that Tehran continues to keep Russia and China fully informed on nuclear developments.
Criticism of US, Israeli actions
The Iranian diplomat also addressed regional conflicts, strongly condemning the Israeli occupation's actions in Gaza and expressing outrage over the displacement of civilians. "The expulsion of Gaza residents is unacceptable," he said, criticizing the Western silence on what he called Israeli "crimes."
He also criticized US actions in Yemen, stating that they are "unacceptable and must stop."
Araghchi's visit to Moscow reflects Iran's growing alignment with Russia amid complex negotiations with Washington. The delivery of Khamenei's letter was described by Araghchi as a symbol of Tehran's trust in Moscow as a "strategic friend and important neighbor."
Constructive talks, rising tensions
After returning to the office in January, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Leader, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, calling for dialogue but warning that failure to reach an agreement could result in military action.
While both sides described their previous talks as "constructive," tensions escalated after Witkoff said Tuesday thatIran must “stop and eliminate” uranium enrichment, a shift from his earlier position, which only demanded Iran return to the 3.67% enrichment cap outlined in the original nuclear accord.
Araghchi criticized the Trump administration’s "contradictory and conflicting positions," and said Iran would assess Washington’s real stance in the upcoming negotiations. He also emphasized that any progress would depend on consistent and constructive positions from the US.
“If we continue to (hear) contradictory and conflicting positions, we are going to have problems,” he warned.
'Lack of trust remains'
Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman have been carried out effectively in their early stages, though the Islamic Republicremains skeptical toward the other side, Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday.
“We are neitherexcessively optimistic nor overtly pessimisticabout these talks,” he stressed, “Of course, we are very distrustful about the other side," speaking to the leaders of the Islamic Republic’s executive, judicial, and legislative branches.
The Leader of Iran pointed out that the talks were among the various matters handled by the Foreign Ministry, emphasizing that it was an action and a measure that had been both decided upon and implemented.
He further pointed out that progress in the Islamic Republic's diverse affairs should not be tied to the negotiations, insisting that the nation must advance its various matters autonomouslywhile depending on its capabilities.
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